With just five days remaining until the grand unveiling, Beijing is poised to captivate the world with its unique charm and cultural richness. The event, titled ‘Charming Beijing, Shared with the World,’ promises to highlight the city’s historical significance, modern innovations, and global influence. As preparations reach their final stages, international attention is increasingly focused on the Chinese capital, which aims to foster deeper cultural exchanges and mutual understanding. The initiative underscores Beijing’s commitment to playing a pivotal role on the global stage, offering a platform for dialogue and collaboration. This event is not just a celebration of Beijing’s heritage but also a testament to its vision of a shared future with the international community.
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Louvre Museum closes after theft
In a shocking incident on Sunday, the Louvre Museum in Paris fell victim to a meticulously planned robbery, prompting its immediate closure. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the theft on social media platform X, stating that the crime occurred during the museum’s opening hours. Authorities are currently investigating the heist, with no reports of injuries. According to French daily Le Parisien, the perpetrators entered the museum through its Seine-facing facade, where ongoing construction provided an opportunity for access. Using a freight elevator, they reportedly reached the Apollo Gallery, where they shattered windows and stole nine pieces from the historic jewellery collection of Napoleon and the Empress. The Apollo Gallery is renowned for its display of the French Crown Jewels, making the theft particularly significant. The Louvre, which attracts up to 30,000 visitors daily, has a storied history of thefts, including the infamous 1911 disappearance of the Mona Lisa. This latest incident underscores ongoing security challenges faced by the museum, which houses over 33,000 priceless works of art spanning ancient civilizations to European masterpieces.
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Ukrainian drones strike major Russian gas plant as Trump says Kyiv may have to trade land for peace
In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian drones targeted a major gas processing plant in southern Russia, igniting a fire and disrupting operations. The Orenburg plant, operated by Gazprom and located near the Kazakh border, is a critical facility with an annual capacity of 45 billion cubic meters. The attack forced the plant to temporarily halt gas intake from Kazakhstan, according to statements from Russian and Kazakh authorities. Regional Governor Yevgeny Solntsev confirmed that a workshop was set ablaze, causing partial damage. The Kazakh Energy Ministry cited Gazprom’s notification, attributing the disruption to an ’emergency situation following a drone attack.’ Ukraine’s General Staff reported a ‘large-scale fire’ and damage to a gas processing unit, underscoring Kyiv’s strategy of targeting Russian energy infrastructure to weaken Moscow’s war efforts. Meanwhile, Ukrainian prosecutors accused Russia of modifying aerial-guided bombs to strike deeper into Ukrainian territory. The UMPB-5R, a rocket-powered bomb capable of traveling up to 130 kilometers, was reportedly used for the first time in an attack on Lozava, a city 150 kilometers south of Kharkiv. Russian strikes also injured 11 people in the Dnipropetrovsk region, damaging residential buildings and a store. In a separate incident, Ukraine claimed a drone strike hit Russia’s Novokuibyshevsk oil refinery, sparking a fire and damaging refining units. Russian authorities did not immediately confirm the attack but stated that their air defense forces had intercepted 45 Ukrainian drones overnight. Ukraine’s air force, in turn, reported that Russia launched 62 drones into Ukrainian territory, with 40 being neutralized. Amid these developments, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Ukraine might need to cede territory to achieve peace, marking a shift in his stance. In a Fox News interview, Trump indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin would likely retain control of certain areas. Trump’s comments, coupled with his reluctance to commit to supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, have raised concerns about the U.S. role in the conflict. As both sides prepare for a potential summit between Trump and Putin in Budapest, hopes for a breakthrough remain tempered by the ongoing violence and geopolitical complexities.
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Louvre museum in Paris closed after robbery, French culture minister says
The iconic Louvre Museum in Paris has been temporarily closed following a brazen robbery that occurred on Sunday morning, as confirmed by France’s Culture Minister, Rachida Dati. The incident took place during the museum’s opening hours, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement. Dati, who was present at the scene, shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), though specific details about the stolen items remain undisclosed. Reports from various French media outlets suggest that valuable jewellery was among the items taken. The Louvre, renowned as the world’s most visited museum, is home to countless priceless artworks and historical treasures. In a brief statement, the museum announced its closure ‘for exceptional reasons,’ without elaborating further. Authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the theft. This developing story is expected to be updated with more information shortly. For real-time updates, the public is encouraged to follow @BBCBreaking on X or use the BBC News App.
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Germany’s Munich Airport temporarily closed following drone reports, but nothing found
Munich Airport, one of Germany’s busiest aviation hubs, faced a temporary closure on Saturday night following unverified reports of drone sightings. According to federal police, the incident occurred after multiple individuals, including security personnel and airport staff, reported suspicious observations. The sightings took place around 10 p.m. and again at 11 p.m., lasting approximately 30 minutes each time. Despite the disruption, the airport resumed operations before midnight, and air traffic returned to normal by Sunday morning. The impact on flights and passengers was minimal, with only three flights diverted—two of which later landed in Munich—and one departure canceled. Federal police conducted a thorough search but found no drones or suspicious individuals in the vicinity. This incident marks the latest in a series of mysterious drone overflights affecting European Union airspace. Earlier this month, Munich Airport experienced two closures within 24 hours due to similar drone sightings, disrupting thousands of travelers.
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Turkish Cypriots vote in an election seen as a choice on deeper Turkey ties or closer EU relations
In a decisive election held on Sunday, Turkish Cypriots in the ethnically divided island of Cyprus faced a critical choice: deepen their alignment with Turkey or pivot toward stronger ties with Europe. With approximately 218,000 registered voters, the polls closed at 1500 GMT, marking a significant moment in the region’s political landscape. The election featured seven candidates, but the primary contest was between the hard-right incumbent Ersin Tatar and the center-left challenger Tufan Erhurman. Tatar, 65, has been a vocal advocate for permanently dividing Cyprus and seeking international recognition for a Turkish Cypriot state closely aligned with Turkey’s political, economic, and social policies. His stance echoes that of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who recently reiterated at the U.N. General Assembly that Cyprus comprises “two separate states” and called for formal recognition of the Turkish Cypriot entity. In contrast, Erhurman, 55, has championed a return to negotiations with Greek Cypriots to establish a two-zone federation. He has criticized Tatar’s reluctance to engage in formal peace talks during his five-year tenure, arguing that it has isolated Turkish Cypriots internationally and wasted valuable time. The election unfolds against the backdrop of Cyprus’s division since 1974, when Turkey invaded following a coup by Greek junta-backed supporters of union with Greece. Turkish Cypriots declared independence in 1983, but only Turkey recognizes it, maintaining over 35,000 troops in the island’s northern third. While Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, only the Greek Cypriot south enjoys full membership benefits, despite many Turkish Cypriots holding EU-recognized passports. Greek Cypriots firmly reject the two-state proposition, viewing it as incompatible with the U.N. and EU-endorsed federation framework. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides has repeatedly stated that talks based on a two-state solution are non-negotiable, fearing Turkey’s potential dominance over the entire island.
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England reaches semifinals after surviving India’s thrilling run chase at Women’s Cricket World Cup
In a nail-biting encounter at the Women’s Cricket World Cup, England triumphed over India by a narrow margin of four runs, securing their place in the semifinals. The match, held at Holkar Stadium in Indore, saw India falter despite a strong performance, marking their third consecutive loss in the tournament. Chasing a target of 289, India appeared poised for victory, with Smriti Mandhana leading the charge with a stellar 88 and captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributing a steady 70. However, England’s disciplined bowling, spearheaded by Nat Sciver-Brunt (2-47) and Linsey Smith (1-40), stifled India’s momentum, culminating in a dramatic finish. India concluded their innings at 284-6 in 50 overs, leaving the home crowd in disbelief. Earlier, England had set a competitive total of 288-8, powered by Heather Knight’s explosive 109 off 91 balls. With this win, England remains unbeaten in the tournament and advances to the semifinals alongside Australia and South Africa. India, now fourth in the standings, faces an uphill battle in their remaining matches against New Zealand and Bangladesh to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
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Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to immediate ceasefire in Doha talks
In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following high-level negotiations in Doha, Qatar. The announcement was made on Sunday by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to stabilize the region. The talks, held in the Qatari capital, aimed to address longstanding tensions and foster a path toward peace. Both nations have been embroiled in border disputes and cross-border skirmishes, which have escalated in recent months. The ceasefire agreement is expected to de-escalate hostilities and create a conducive environment for further dialogue. This development underscores Qatar’s growing role as a mediator in regional conflicts, leveraging its diplomatic influence to broker peace. The international community has welcomed the agreement, viewing it as a positive step toward reducing violence and enhancing regional security. However, analysts caution that sustained peace will require continued engagement and trust-building measures between the two nations.
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Final interment for Kenya’s former prime minister Odinga underway
The funeral of Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a towering figure in African democracy, is taking place in his rural home under tight security. The ceremony follows violent incidents in Nairobi during earlier public viewings, which resulted in fatalities and injuries. Odinga, who passed away in India at the age of 80, is being laid to rest with full military honors alongside traditional rites, next to his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, a key figure in Kenya’s independence struggle and the nation’s first vice president. Thousands of mourners and dignitaries from across Africa have gathered to pay their respects to the man hailed as a “selfless pan-Africanist.” Despite never achieving the presidency in his five attempts, Odinga played a pivotal role in Kenya’s political landscape, brokering agreements with three presidents during periods of post-election tension. President William Ruto acknowledged Odinga’s contributions, particularly his role in stabilizing the country after a political pact earlier this year. Odinga’s legacy extends beyond Kenya, as he mediated political crises across Africa and championed democratic reforms. His influence was celebrated by global leaders, who praised his statesmanship and dedication to democracy. Odinga is survived by his wife Ida and their children Rosemary, Raila Junior, and Winnie.
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China accuses US of cyberattack on national time center
China has leveled serious allegations against the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), accusing it of orchestrating cyberattacks on its National Time Service Center. The Ministry of State Security disclosed these claims in a WeChat post on Sunday, following an investigation. According to the ministry, the NSA exploited vulnerabilities in the messaging services of an unspecified foreign mobile phone brand in 2022, targeting devices of the center’s staff to steal sensitive information. Additionally, the U.S. agency allegedly deployed 42 types of advanced cyberattack tools to infiltrate the center’s internal network systems between 2023 and 2024, with attempts to breach a critical timing system. The ministry asserted it possesses evidence but did not disclose it publicly. The National Time Service Center plays a pivotal role in generating and distributing China’s standard time, as well as providing timing services to critical sectors such as communications, finance, power, transport, and defense. The ministry has reportedly issued guidance to the center to mitigate risks. China also criticized the U.S. for hypocrisy, stating that it accuses others of cyber threats while engaging in similar activities itself. This accusation comes amid escalating tensions between the two nations over trade, technology, and Taiwan. Western governments have previously alleged that hackers linked to the Chinese government have targeted officials, journalists, and corporations. The U.S. Embassy has yet to respond to these allegations.