A 54-year-old man, Paul Doyle, appeared in court on Tuesday as his trial commenced for allegedly injuring more than 100 Liverpool soccer fans by driving his vehicle into a crowd celebrating their team’s Premier League victory. The incident occurred on May 26 when a Ford minivan ploughed into a street filled with jubilant fans. Over 130 individuals reported injuries, including several children. Authorities have stated that the driver acted alone and that terrorism is not suspected, although the motive remains undisclosed. Doyle faces 31 charges, including dangerous driving and causing or attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, which could result in a life sentence if convicted. Dressed in a suit and tie, Doyle wept as potential jurors were selected in a packed courtroom. Twelve jurors were sworn in, and the trial, expected to last three to four weeks, will proceed with the prosecution’s opening statement on Wednesday.
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Catholic bishop hits out at Nigeria’s failure to rescue abducted schoolchildren
Nigeria is facing a deepening security crisis as the government faces accusations of inaction following the abduction of over 250 children from a Catholic boarding school in Niger state. Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the region’s leading Catholic cleric, criticized the government for making “no meaningful effort” to rescue the students. However, Niger state’s police chief, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, countered these claims, alleging that the school had failed to cooperate with search and rescue operations. The abductions, attributed to criminal gangs seeking ransom, highlight the widespread insecurity plaguing the country. This incident is the third mass kidnapping in Nigeria within a week, following the abduction of 20 Muslim schoolgirls in Kebbi state and an attack on a church in Kwara state that left two dead and dozens abducted. President Bola Tinubu canceled his attendance at the G20 summit in South Africa to address the crisis, announcing the rescue of 38 worshippers in Kwara state. Meanwhile, the US has threatened military intervention if Nigeria fails to protect its Christian population, with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth meeting Nigeria’s National Security Adviser to discuss counterterrorism efforts. The Nigerian government denies allegations of religious persecution, attributing the violence to criminality, extremism, and land disputes. Amid the turmoil, many boarding schools have closed, and authorities in Lagos are enhancing security at schools and places of worship.
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Thai woman’s cremation stopped after knocking heard on coffin
In a startling turn of events, a 65-year-old woman presumed dead was discovered alive just moments before her scheduled cremation at the Wat Rat Prakhong Tham Buddhist temple on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand. The temple’s general manager, Pairat Soodthoop, recounted to the Associated Press that he was ‘startled’ to hear faint knocking from the coffin. Upon opening it, he found the woman slightly opening her eyes and knocking on the side of the coffin. ‘She must have been knocking for quite some time,’ Soodthoop added. The woman’s brother had been informed by local officials that his sister had passed away, but the temple manager noted that no death certificate had been provided. As Soodthoop was explaining the process of obtaining a death certificate, the faint knocking was heard. The temple’s abbot immediately instructed that the woman be taken to a hospital. Medical examinations later revealed that the woman had been suffering from severe hypoglycemia, a condition characterized by critically low blood sugar levels. The doctor confirmed that she had not experienced respiratory failure or cardiac arrest. According to the temple manager, the woman had been bedridden for two years, and her health had deteriorated to the point where she appeared to have stopped breathing on Saturday. The family had traveled nearly 500 kilometers from Phitsanulok province for the cremation ceremony. This incident has sparked widespread attention and relief, highlighting the importance of thorough medical verification before proceeding with such ceremonies.
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Dubai: Gold prices jump nearly Dh12 in 24 hours to reach just shy of Dh500 per gram
Gold prices in Dubai soared to a near one-week high on Tuesday, reaching just under Dh500 per gram. At 9am UAE time, 24K gold was trading at Dh499 per gram, marking a significant increase of nearly Dh12 over the past 24 hours. Other variants of the precious metal also saw notable gains, with 22K, 21K, and 18K selling at Dh462, Dh443, and Dh379.75 per gram, respectively. Spot gold prices globally were recorded at $4,146.5 per ounce, reflecting a 1.25 per cent rise, driven by growing expectations of a rate cut by the US Federal Reserve. Market analysts attribute this surge to mixed signals from the Fed, with traders cautiously optimistic about a potential policy easing in December. Aaron Hill, chief market analyst at FP Markets, highlighted that the odds of a rate cut have increased to about 60 per cent, following robust US payroll data and dovish remarks from New York Fed President John Williams. Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial, noted that geopolitical developments in the Middle East and optimism surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict have also supported gold prices. Despite a stronger dollar and improved risk appetite in Asian equities, gold remains a favored asset amid ongoing economic uncertainties.
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Four more arrested in $102M Louvre jewel heist, Paris prosecutor says
In a significant development in the investigation of the high-profile Louvre Museum heist, Paris prosecutors revealed on Tuesday that four additional individuals have been apprehended. The suspects, comprising two men and two women aged between 31 and 40, are residents of the Paris region. Laure Beccuau, the Paris prosecutor leading the probe, disclosed the arrests but did not specify the roles these individuals allegedly played in the October 19 theft. The stolen artifacts, valued at an astonishing $102 million, remain missing. Among the loot are priceless historical treasures, including a diamond-and-emerald necklace gifted by Napoleon to Empress Marie-Louise, jewels associated with 19th-century Queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense, and Empress Eugénie’s pearl-and-diamond tiara. This latest round of arrests follows the earlier capture of other suspected members of the four-man gang believed to have executed the audacious robbery. Preliminary charges have already been filed against three men and one woman detained in October, as the investigation continues to unfold.
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Closing statements begin in ICC trial of alleged Central African Republic militia commander
In a landmark case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, prosecutors on Tuesday delivered closing arguments against Mahamat Said Abdel Kani, an alleged commander of the Seleka rebel group from the Central African Republic (CAR). Said faces multiple charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including torture, persecution, and enforced disappearances during the 2013 conflict in Bangui, the nation’s capital. The violence erupted between the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels, who had overthrown then-President Francois Bozize, and the Christian anti-Balaka militia. Deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang detailed the atrocities, stating that women, children, the elderly, and disabled individuals were subjected to horrific abuse, including rape and torture. Said has pleaded not guilty, with his defense team arguing that the evidence is unreliable and insufficient to link him to the crimes. The defense will present its closing arguments later this week. If convicted, Said could face life imprisonment. This trial marks the conclusion of the last active case at the ICC, which has faced significant challenges, including sanctions from the Trump administration and internal investigations into its leadership. The court has previously convicted two senior anti-Balaka leaders in July for similar crimes, highlighting its ongoing efforts to address impunity in CAR.
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German ‘hammer gang’ trial for seven accused of extreme-left violence
In a high-profile trial in Dresden, eastern Germany, seven individuals are facing charges related to their alleged involvement in the militant left-wing extremist group Antifa Ost, also known as the “hammer gang.” The group, which the United States recently designated as a terrorist organization, is accused of orchestrating violent attacks against individuals associated with right-wing ideologies. The defendants, identified only as Henry A, Tobias E, Johann G, Thomas J, Melissa K, Paul M, and Julian W due to German privacy laws, are charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and property damage. German prosecutors claim that the group, founded in late 2017 or early 2018, meticulously planned and executed attacks in Germany and Budapest, Hungary, often using hammers and batons to inflict severe injuries. Johann G, one of the accused, is alleged to have played a leadership role, planning attacks and recruiting members, while Paul M reportedly organized combat training for the group. Notable incidents include a 2019 attack at Dessau-Rosslau train station and a series of assaults in Budapest in 2023 during a right-wing gathering. The U.S. designation of Antifa Ost as a terrorist organization has led to calls from Germany’s far-right AfD party for similar action domestically. The German government has acknowledged the U.S. decision but has yet to announce any corresponding measures.
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Venezuela demands international airlines resume flights – or else
Venezuela has issued a stern ultimatum to international airlines, demanding they resume flights to the country within 48 hours or face the revocation of their operational permits. This directive comes in the wake of a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advisory warning of increased military activity in the region, prompting several airlines to suspend their services to Venezuela. Among the affected carriers are Spain’s Iberia, Air Europa, and Plus Ultra, Brazil’s Gol, Chile’s Latam, Colombia’s Avianca, Portugal’s TAP, and Turkish Airlines. The FAA’s advisory specifically highlighted the deteriorating security situation around Maiquetía, the site of Venezuela’s primary international airport serving Caracas. While some airlines like Panama’s Copa and Venezuela’s state-owned Conviasa continue operations, the suspensions have significantly reduced international flight traffic. The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has urged Venezuela’s aviation authority, Inac, to reconsider the deadline, emphasizing that such measures would further isolate the country, already one of the least connected in the region. Iata also noted that its member airlines remain committed to resuming operations once conditions permit. The escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela are rooted in the US’s increased military presence in the southern Caribbean, ostensibly aimed at combating drug trafficking. Since September, the US Navy has conducted at least 21 strikes against vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking, primarily in the Caribbean but also in the Pacific. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has vehemently criticized these actions, accusing the US of attempting to overthrow his government. In a defiant statement during his TV show, Maduro asserted that the US would not succeed in defeating Venezuela. The US, however, regards Maduro as an illegitimate leader, citing his widely disputed 2024 re-election. Despite these tensions, US President Donald Trump has not ruled out direct dialogue with Maduro, hinting at potential future discussions.
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Global tiger trafficking crisis worsens with nine big cats seized monthly
A recent report by TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network, has revealed a alarming surge in tiger trafficking, with an average of nine tigers seized each month over the past five years. This crisis poses a significant threat to the survival of one of the planet’s most iconic species. The global wild tiger population, which stood at around 100,000 a century ago, has now dwindled to an estimated 3,700-5,500. Despite decades of international protection, the illegal trade in tigers is accelerating, with a notable shift towards trafficking whole animals, whether living or dead. Experts suggest this trend may be linked to captive-breeding operations, increased exotic pet ownership, and demand for taxidermy. Between 2000 and mid-2025, law enforcement agencies globally recorded 2,551 seizures involving at least 3,808 tigers. The worst years for seizures were 2019 and 2023, with 141 and 139 incidents respectively. Most seizures occurred in countries with wild tiger populations, such as India, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam, but significant incidents were also reported in Mexico, the U.S., and the United Kingdom. The report highlights a dramatic shift in trafficking patterns, with whole animal carcasses and live tigers now accounting for a larger proportion of seizures compared to tiger parts. The report identifies several hotspots for intervention, including India and Bangladesh’s tiger reserves, Indonesia’s Aceh region, and the Vietnam-Laos border. It also notes a growing convergence of species in trafficking incidents, with nearly one in five involving other threatened wildlife such as leopards, bears, and pangolins. The report emphasizes the need for strong international cooperation and intelligence-led, multi-agency enforcement to disrupt organized crime networks. Leigh Henry, director of wildlife conservation at WWF, warned that illegal trade remains the greatest immediate threat to wild tigers and called for urgent investments to combat trafficking at all points along the trade chain.
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SA close to first series win in India since 2000
South Africa is on the verge of securing its first Test series win in India in 25 years after dominating the fourth day of the second Test in Guwahati. The Proteas set a formidable target of 549 runs for India, who stumbled to 27-2 by the close of play. India, dismissed for a mere 201 in their first innings, now face the daunting task of batting through the final day to avoid a series whitewash. This would mark their second home series defeat in three attempts, following a 3-0 loss to New Zealand last October. South Africa’s strong position was bolstered by Tristan Stubbs, who top-scored with 94 runs, forming crucial partnerships with Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder to extend their lead beyond 500. Despite falling short of a century, Stubbs’ performance was pivotal in South Africa’s declaration. India’s reply faltered early as Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul fell cheaply, leaving Kuldeep Yadav and Sai Sudharsan to resume the chase on the final day. South Africa’s dominance in this series, including their 30-run victory in the first Test in Kolkata, underscores their resurgence in Test cricket.