A section of the historic Torre dei Conti, a medieval tower located near Rome’s iconic Colosseum and Roman Forum, collapsed unexpectedly on Tuesday morning, leaving one worker trapped and another critically injured. The incident occurred around 11:30 AM local time (10:30 GMT), sending shockwaves through the city’s bustling tourist district. Firefighters immediately launched a complex rescue operation, with Rome Prefect Lamberto Giannini confirming that the trapped individual remained conscious and in communication with rescuers. The tower, which has been closed to the public for years, was undergoing conservation work at the time of the collapse. Shortly after the initial incident, a second section of the 29-meter (90-foot) tower began to crumble, raining bricks and creating a massive dust cloud. Despite the dangerous conditions, firefighters managed to shield the trapped worker from further harm and continued their efforts to free him. Giannini emphasized the prolonged nature of the operation, citing the need to balance rescue efforts with the safety of responders. A police chief assured that the tower is not at imminent risk of complete disintegration. Meanwhile, a 67-year-old worker who escaped unharmed described the scene as unsafe, expressing his desire to return home. Rome’s mayor and Italy’s culture minister visited the site, where a crane and drone are aiding the rescue. The 13th-century tower, originally built by Pope Innocent III for his brother, remains cordoned off as authorities assess the situation.
作者： admin
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China domestically produces high-purity C276 metal strips for the first time
In a significant scientific milestone, China has successfully produced high-purity C276 metal strips domestically for the first time. This achievement was spearheaded by a research team led by Rong Lijian from the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences. C276 is a critical material used in the production of second-generation high-temperature superconducting tapes, which are essential components in controllable nuclear fusion devices, often referred to as ‘artificial suns.’ The newly developed metal strips exhibit exceptional mechanical strength and deformation capabilities, marking a crucial step forward in the advancement of superconducting technology. This breakthrough not only reduces China’s reliance on imported materials but also strengthens its position in the global scientific community. The successful production of these metal strips is expected to accelerate progress in nuclear fusion research and related high-tech industries, paving the way for future innovations in energy and materials science.
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Summer Palace glows in autumn colors
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SNAP benefits in limbo as judges press Trump administration to fund food aid
Over 42 million Americans are anxiously awaiting a critical decision from the Trump administration regarding the use of emergency funds to sustain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have mandated the administration to provide updates by Monday at 12:00 EST (17:00 GMT) on how it plans to allocate $5.25 billion in emergency funds to ensure partial SNAP payments. This comes as the program faces a funding crisis due to the prolonged US government shutdown, which began on October 1 after Congress failed to agree on a budget. Since Saturday, millions of Americans have been left without essential food assistance as SNAP funds have been exhausted. While individual states manage the distribution of benefits, the program relies entirely on federal funding, which has been suspended during the shutdown. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the administration is exploring legal avenues to reallocate funds, with payments potentially resuming as early as Wednesday. However, the process remains uncertain. Half of the US states and the District of Columbia have filed lawsuits against the administration, arguing that it has a legal obligation to continue the program. Meanwhile, some states have pledged to use their own resources to fund SNAP benefits temporarily. SNAP is a lifeline for low-income families, providing reloadable debit cards to purchase groceries. On average, a family of four receives $715 per month, equating to less than $6 per person daily. The ongoing uncertainty has left millions of vulnerable Americans in a precarious position, highlighting the broader impacts of the government shutdown.
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Kimberly-Clark to buy Tylenol-maker for more than $40bn
In a landmark $40 billion cash-and-stock transaction, Kimberly-Clark, the maker of Kleenex and Huggies, is set to acquire Kenvue, the company behind Tylenol and other household brands like Band-Aid and Neutrogena. The deal aims to create a consumer goods powerhouse, combining some of the most widely used health and wellness products globally. However, the acquisition comes amid significant challenges for Kenvue, including declining sales, legal battles, and controversies surrounding its products. The Trump administration recently linked Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, a claim disputed by scientists, which further impacted Kenvue’s stock performance. Kenvue, spun off from Johnson & Johnson in 2023, has seen its shares drop nearly 30% over the past year, making it a target for activist investors pushing for a sale. The merger, expected to close in the second half of next year, will generate $32 billion in combined sales this year, according to executives. While Kenvue shares surged 17% following the announcement, Kimberly-Clark’s stock fell over 10%, reflecting investor skepticism about the deal’s risks. Kenvue also faces a lawsuit from the Texas attorney general alleging the company concealed potential risks of its products to children’s brain development. Additionally, Johnson & Johnson, Kenvue’s former parent, has been embroiled in lawsuits over its talcum powder products, accused of containing asbestos, which the company denies.
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Coinvesting Capital launches UAE-focused real estate fund with DIFC–Luxembourg framework
Coinvesting Capital Ltd, a Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)-based asset manager regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), has unveiled the Coinvesting Bread Real Estate Fund L.P. This innovative fund is structured under a dual framework, combining DIFC and Luxembourg regulations, marking a significant milestone in the UAE’s real estate sector. The fund’s DIFC component operates as an exempt fund under DFSA oversight, while its Luxembourg counterpart, Coinvesting Bread Real Estate Fund SCSp, is in the process of registration with the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). Caibuo Capital S.à r.l., a CSSF-licensed management company, has been appointed to manage the fund. This dual structure aligns with two of the world’s most robust financial frameworks, ensuring institutional governance and global accessibility. The initiative is the first of its kind, offering regulated access to the UAE real estate market through a DIFC-Luxembourg framework. It highlights the UAE’s transition from a regionally dynamic property market to one integrated into the global investment landscape. Michael Ruben, CEO of Bread Capital Ltd, and David Szerer, CMO of Bread Capital Ltd, have been appointed as directors, bringing extensive asset management and capital markets expertise to the fund. Eddy Abramo, CEO of Coinvesting Capital Ltd, emphasized that the fund underscores the UAE’s credibility as a destination for institutional capital, combining DIFC oversight with Luxembourg’s accessibility to align with international standards. This development reinforces the UAE’s growing reputation as a financial hub, attracting cross-border investment amid record real estate activity, government reforms, and sustained foreign inflows.
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Israel continues to strike Gaza and block entry of tents despite truce deal
The Israeli military has intensified its operations across the Gaza Strip, conducting aerial strikes, artillery fire, and building demolitions despite plummeting temperatures and a severe lack of shelter for displaced Palestinians. Since Sunday night, attacks have been concentrated in Khan Younis, south of the besieged enclave, and Gaza City, resulting in civilian casualties. On Monday morning, Israeli aircraft targeted eastern Khan Younis, while heavy artillery shelling struck al-Khansaa School and surrounding areas in Abasan al-Kabira. Simultaneously, Israeli forces launched attacks on Rafah, killing at least two Palestinians. Explosions echoed through Gaza City as Israeli troops continued demolitions, targeting residential neighborhoods and shelters where many Palestinians have sought refuge. Ismail al-Thawabta, Director General of the Gaza Government Media Office, reported that Israel has committed over 194 violations since the US-brokered ceasefire began on October 10. Since the onset of Israel’s military campaign in October 2023, more than 68,865 Palestinians have been killed, with 170,670 injured. Compounding the crisis, Israeli authorities have restricted the entry of essential aid, including materials for tents. Amjad al-Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGO Network in Gaza, highlighted the urgent need for 300,000 new tents before winter to avert a humanitarian and environmental disaster. Thawabta noted that Israel has failed to meet ceasefire stipulations, including the provision of shelters, food, medicine, and fuel. Between the ceasefire’s start and the end of October, only 3,203 of the required 13,200 aid trucks entered Gaza, far below the daily target of 600. The impending winter threatens to exacerbate the dire conditions in Gaza, where infrastructure, including homes, schools, and health centers, lies in ruins. The UN agency for Palestine refugees (Unrwa) has called for restored humanitarian access as colder temperatures approach, emphasizing the urgent need for shelter and warmth.
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Libyan delegation in Beirut seeks release of the son of late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi
A Libyan delegation in Lebanon made significant strides in discussions with Lebanese judicial officials on Monday regarding the potential release of Hannibal Gadhafi, the son of the late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Gadhafi has been detained in Lebanon without trial since 2015. The five-member delegation, led by senior judicial officials including prosecutor Jamal Hajar, engaged in talks to address the conditions of Gadhafi’s release. Lebanese judicial sources, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the discussions focused on reducing the $11 million bail imposed on Gadhafi and lifting his travel ban. The Libyan delegation also presented a detailed report on the investigation into the disappearance of Lebanese Shiite cleric Moussa al-Sadr, who vanished during a trip to Libya in 1978. Gadhafi, who was less than three years old at the time of al-Sadr’s disappearance, has been accused of withholding information about the cleric’s fate. The case has been a contentious issue in Lebanon, with al-Sadr’s family believing he may still be alive in a Libyan prison, while most Lebanese presume he is deceased. The Libyan delegation’s visit also included a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, where they emphasized Tripoli’s desire to reactivate bilateral relations with Beirut and resolve pending issues. Gadhafi, who had been living in exile in Syria before his abduction in 2015, is expected to relocate to Qatar if released. The Hostage Aid Worldwide organization has long advocated for his release, citing concerns over his prolonged detention without due process. The case remains a complex and sensitive matter, intertwined with the histories of both Libya and Lebanon.
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Trump says it would be ‘hard for me’ to fund New York City if Mamdani becomes mayor
In a recent television interview, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his reluctance to allocate federal funds to New York City should Zohran Mamdani, a left-wing candidate, win the mayoral race. Trump labeled Mamdani as a ‘Communist’ and suggested that sending money to the city under his leadership would be wasteful. ‘It’s gonna be hard for me as the president to give a lot of money to New York, because if you have a Communist running New York, all you’re doing is wasting the money you’re sending there,’ Trump stated. This remark aligns with the Trump administration’s history of attempting to reduce federal grants to Democratic-run areas.
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French climber among at least three killed in Nepal avalanche
A tragic avalanche struck the Yalung Ri mountain in Nepal’s Dolakha district on Monday, claiming the lives of at least three climbers, including a French national. The incident occurred at 09:00 local time near the base camp, where a group of 12 trekkers and local guides had set out just over an hour before the disaster. Among the deceased were two Italians, a German, and a Canadian. Five Nepali guides who managed to return to the base camp sustained non-critical injuries. Rescue operations are ongoing, but efforts are being hindered by adverse weather conditions and logistical challenges. A rescue helicopter has been deployed to the Na Gaun area, approximately a five-hour walk from the base camp. Separately, search and rescue missions continue for two Italian climbers, Stefano Farronato and Alessandro Caputo, who went missing while attempting to scale Panbari mountain in western Nepal. The duo, along with three local guides, became stranded last week due to heavy rain and snowfall triggered by Cyclone Montha. While one member of their group, Velter Perlino, has been rescued, the fate of the others remains uncertain. The cyclone also left several trekkers and tourists stranded in the Himalayas, including two British and one Irish woman who were rescued after being trapped for days in the Mustang region.