作者: admin

  • Xi congratulates Paul Biya on re-election as president of Cameroon

    Xi congratulates Paul Biya on re-election as president of Cameroon

    Chinese President Xi Jinping extended his congratulations to Paul Biya on his re-election as the President of Cameroon in a formal message on Friday. Xi highlighted the enduring friendship between China and Cameroon, emphasizing the strengthened political trust and successful collaborations across multiple sectors in recent years. Both nations have consistently supported each other on critical issues related to their core interests and major concerns. Xi also pointed out that the upcoming 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries presents a fresh opportunity to further enhance bilateral ties. He expressed his commitment to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Cameroon, leveraging the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit to bring greater benefits to their peoples.

  • Spanish police arrest 13 suspected members of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang

    Spanish police arrest 13 suspected members of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang

    In a significant operation targeting organized crime, Spanish authorities announced on Friday the arrest of 13 suspected members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. The arrests were carried out across five cities—Barcelona, Madrid, Girona, A Coruña, and Valencia—marking the first such operation in Spain to dismantle a suspected cell of this notorious gang. The U.S. government had designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization in February, highlighting its growing influence in international drug trafficking and organized crime. Spanish police also dismantled two drug laboratories used to produce tusi, a potent mixture of cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine, and seized significant quantities of synthetic drugs and cocaine. The operation followed an investigation initiated last year after the brother of the gang’s leader, known as ‘Niño Guerrero,’ was arrested in Barcelona under an international warrant issued by Venezuelan authorities. Tren de Aragua, which originated in a lawless Venezuelan prison over a decade ago, has expanded its reach amid the mass migration of Venezuelans fleeing economic turmoil, establishing a presence in Latin America, the U.S., and Spain. The gang has also been a focal point of the Trump administration’s military strikes against suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and its domestic immigration crackdown. This latest operation underscores the global efforts to combat the gang’s criminal activities and its ties to international drug trafficking networks.

  • UN chief urges immediate, decisive actions against climate change

    UN chief urges immediate, decisive actions against climate change

    In a powerful address at the World Leaders Climate Action Summit in Belem, Brazil, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for immediate and decisive global efforts to tackle the escalating climate crisis. Speaking ahead of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), Guterres emphasized the urgent need for a paradigm shift to address the failure to meet the 1.5-degree Celsius target set by the 2015 Paris Agreement. He warned of severe ecological and socioeconomic consequences if global warming continues unchecked. Guterres urged leaders to act swiftly and collaboratively, stating that rapid and large-scale action could minimize the overshoot and bring temperatures back to safe levels by the end of the century. He also highlighted the transformative potential of clean energy, noting that nearly all new power capacity in 2024 came from renewable sources. The two-day summit, which began on November 6, 2025, brought together global leaders to discuss pressing climate challenges and commitments.

  • ‘I thought it was a prank’ – How a Brazilian woman became the face of India vote fraud row

    ‘I thought it was a prank’ – How a Brazilian woman became the face of India vote fraud row

    Larissa Nery, a Brazilian hairdresser, has unexpectedly become the focal point of a political storm in India following allegations of election fraud. The controversy erupted after Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi held a press conference on Wednesday, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission (EC) of manipulating voter lists in last year’s Haryana state election. During the conference, Gandhi displayed a series of slides, including one featuring Nery’s photograph, claiming that her image had been used multiple times under different names on the voter list. Nery, who lives in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and has never visited India, initially thought the situation was a mistake or a prank. However, as her social media accounts were flooded with messages and journalists began contacting her, she realized the gravity of the situation. Nery confirmed to the BBC that the photograph was indeed hers, taken in 2017 by Brazilian photographer Matheus Ferrero. Ferrero, who shared the photo on Unsplash with Nery’s consent, expressed his shock at the misuse of the image and the sudden attention it garnered. Both Nery and Ferrero are now grappling with the unexpected intrusion into their lives, as the allegations continue to unfold in India. The BJP has denied the accusations, and the Election Commission has yet to respond to specific claims made by Gandhi. The incident has raised questions about the credibility of India’s electoral process and the implications of such allegations on the country’s political landscape.

  • EU naval force races to ship seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia

    EU naval force races to ship seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia

    In a dramatic maritime incident off the coast of Somalia, a Malta-flagged tanker, the Hellas Aphrodite, was seized by pirates on Thursday, prompting a swift response from the European Union’s naval force. The vessel, carrying gasoline from India to South Africa, was attacked with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, forcing its 24-member crew to seek refuge in a secure citadel aboard the ship. The EU’s Operation Atalanta, an anti-piracy coalition, confirmed that its assets were en route to the scene, located over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) off the Somali coast, and prepared to take necessary action. Simultaneously, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported another attempted pirate approach in the same area on Friday, involving a small vessel with three individuals believed to be part of the same pirate group. This latest hijacking marks the first commercial ship seized by Somali pirates since May 2024, reigniting concerns over maritime security in the region. Somali piracy, which peaked in 2011 with 237 attacks, had significantly declined due to international naval patrols and Somalia’s strengthening governance. However, recent instability, including Yemen’s Houthi rebel activities in the Red Sea, has contributed to a resurgence of pirate attacks. Local fisherman Osman Abdi from Mogadishu expressed fears that such incidents would stigmatize Somali fishermen, associating them with piracy and instilling widespread fear.

  • Dubai Garden Glow to reopen as a day park; new location revealed

    Dubai Garden Glow to reopen as a day park; new location revealed

    Dubai Garden Glow, a beloved family attraction known for its enchanting glow-in-the-dark displays, is set to reopen with a significant transformation. For the first time since its inception a decade ago, the park will operate as a day park, welcoming visitors from 10am to 9pm daily. Previously, it opened only after 5pm. The park, which had announced its closure after 10 successful seasons, has relocated to a new site next to Dubai Frame at Zabeel Park Gate 3. Organizers confirmed the move on Instagram, promising all-new attractions, including an upgraded Dinosaur Park and a Fantasy Park. The new location marks a fresh chapter for Dubai Garden Glow, shifting from an evening-only spectacle to an all-day experience. Visitors will enjoy two experiences under one ticket, although the official reopening date and entry fees are yet to be announced. The Dinosaur Park will feature life-size animatronic dinosaurs with movement and sound effects, alongside new interactive displays for hands-on learning. The Fantasy Park will offer whimsical, Instagram-worthy structures blending natural scenery with imaginative art installations. Since its opening in 2015, Dubai Garden Glow has captivated millions with its illuminated displays made from recyclable materials, combining sustainability with spectacle. More details, including ticket prices and the official opening date, are expected to be announced soon.

  • Xinjiang launches consumption voucher program to boost winter tourism

    Xinjiang launches consumption voucher program to boost winter tourism

    In a strategic move to invigorate its winter tourism sector, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China has announced the launch of a consumption voucher program starting November 14, 2025. This initiative, unveiled by the regional culture and tourism department, aims to attract more visitors to its renowned ski resorts during the snowy season. A total of 10,000 vouchers, each valued at 20 yuan (approximately $2.82), will be distributed. These vouchers are redeemable at 11 high-quality ski resorts rated 4S class or above, located in popular winter destinations including Urumqi, Changji, Ili, and Altay. To utilize the voucher, skiers must purchase a ski pass worth at least 100 yuan, and the vouchers can be claimed via a WeChat mini-program. Xinjiang, celebrated for its extended snowy periods and superior snow quality, offers a robust winter tourism experience that combines skiing, snow sightseeing, and cultural immersion. The previous winter season saw a significant influx of 3.57 million tourists to standardized ski resorts in the region, marking a 10.22% increase from the previous year, and generating a tourism revenue of 844 million yuan, up by 39.13%. According to Li Meng, an official from the department, the voucher program is set to continue until February 2026, with the dual objectives of stimulating expenditure on winter sports and fostering the high-quality development of the region’s winter tourism industry.

  • Man jailed for life over ‘monstrous’ killing of family

    Man jailed for life over ‘monstrous’ killing of family

    A 20-year-old Sri Lankan student, Febrio De-Zoysa, has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of six people, including a mother and her four young children, in Ottawa, Canada. The horrific incident occurred in March 2024, when De-Zoysa, who was living in the basement of the Wickramasinghe family’s rented townhouse, fatally stabbed Darshani Ekanayake, 35, and her children: Inuka, 7; Ashwini, 4; Ranaya, 3; and two-month-old Kelly. A family friend, Gamini Amarakoon, 40, was also killed, while the father, Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, sustained injuries. Justice Kevin Phillips, delivering the verdict, described De-Zoysa’s actions as ‘stupefying, monstrous,’ and emphasized the profound loss and grief caused by the crimes. De-Zoysa, who cannot seek parole for 25 years, showed no emotion during most of the hearing but apologized, stating he would spend his life acknowledging the truth of his actions. The victims, except for the newborn, were Sri Lankan immigrants who had moved to Canada in search of a better life. De-Zoysa claimed he committed the murders because he was out of money and did not want to return to Sri Lanka when his student visa expired. He used a 38cm hunting knife, which he had purchased over a month prior, initially intending to take his own life. The tragedy has left the survivors and the community devastated, with Mr. Wickramasinghe expressing that his world has been irreparably destroyed. The case has been described as one of the most shocking incidents of violence in Ottawa’s history.

  • 161 nominations received for Hong Kong LegCo election

    161 nominations received for Hong Kong LegCo election

    The nomination period for the 2025 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election in Hong Kong concluded on Thursday, with a total of 161 nomination forms submitted across various constituencies. The Registration and Electoral Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government confirmed the figures, marking a significant step in the electoral process. The submissions included 51 nominations for geographical constituencies, 60 for functional constituencies, and 50 for the Election Committee constituency. The nomination period ended at 5 pm local time on November 6, 2025. Returning officers will now determine the order of candidates’ names on ballot papers and allocate designated spots for election advertisements through a lottery system on November 7. The Candidate Eligibility Review Committee is expected to publish a notice of validly nominated candidates in the gazette within 14 days. The election, scheduled for December 7, 2025, will determine the composition of the eighth LegCo, playing a pivotal role in Hong Kong’s governance and legislative framework.

  • Hurricane Melissa causes damage in Jamaica equivalent to 30% of GDP: UN official

    Hurricane Melissa causes damage in Jamaica equivalent to 30% of GDP: UN official

    Jamaica is reeling from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, with damages estimated to be equivalent to 30% of the nation’s GDP, according to a UN Development Programme (UNDP) official. Kishan Khoday, UNDP resident representative for the region, revealed during a video conference that initial assessments indicate the financial toll is expected to rise. The Category 5 storm, which struck last week, has left western Jamaica in ruins, generating nearly 5 million metric tonnes of debris. The human cost is equally staggering, with 32 confirmed fatalities and approximately 1.5 million people affected. In response, the UNDP has allocated $400,000 for immediate assessment and recovery efforts, while the UN World Food Programme is airlifting food supplies from Barbados to support over 6,000 households for a week. The scale of the disaster underscores the urgent need for international aid and long-term recovery strategies.