In a significant move, Brazil’s government has greenlit exploratory drilling by Petrobras, the state-controlled oil giant, near the mouth of the Amazon River. The decision, announced on Monday, arrives just weeks before the United Nations climate conference, COP30, set to take place in Belem, where global efforts to curb fossil fuel usage will be a central topic. The Equatorial Margin, a region stretching from Brazil’s border with Suriname to its Northeast coast, is believed to hold substantial oil and gas reserves. Petrobras confirmed that drilling could commence immediately and last up to five months, targeting block FZA-M-059, located 175 kilometers offshore the northern state of Amapa. The company emphasized that this phase involves exploratory activities only, with no oil production planned. The Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, overseen by the environment ministry, approved the project, which was lauded by Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira. Silveira hailed the Equatorial Margin as pivotal for Brazil’s energy sovereignty, asserting that the exploration would adhere to stringent environmental standards and bring tangible benefits to the nation. This decision follows Brazil’s June auction of several oil exploration sites near the Amazon, despite opposition from environmental and Indigenous groups. The region, while promising, is also considered high-risk due to strong ocean currents and its proximity to the Amazon coastline.
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Abu Dhabi: 25-week-old foetus undergoes spine surgery in mother’s womb
In a remarkable medical breakthrough, a 25-week-old foetus weighing just 800 grams underwent a successful fetoscopic surgery to repair spina bifida while still in the mother’s womb. The procedure, performed at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi, lasted 90 minutes and utilised a minimally invasive technique involving a tiny camera and miniature instruments inserted through three small incisions in the mother’s abdomen and uterus. Spina bifida, a congenital condition where the spine and spinal cord fail to develop properly, can lead to severe neurological complications and long-term disabilities if left untreated. The surgery, part of Abu Dhabi’s Visiting Physicians Programme, aimed to correct the defect prenatally, significantly improving the baby’s chances of walking independently and leading a healthier life. The procedure’s precision and minimal invasiveness ensured a faster recovery for the mother and preserved the uterine environment, allowing the pregnancy to continue safely until the planned delivery date. This milestone underscores Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a global healthcare hub, driven by innovation and collaboration with international medical experts. Dr Adel Ali Al Junaibi, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at SKMC, emphasised the long-term benefits of prenatal repair, stating that early intervention reduces the risk of paralysis and the need for multiple surgeries post-birth. Dr Werner Gerhard Diehl, Consultant in Fetal Medicine at Seha Corniche Hospital, highlighted the complexity of the procedure, which requires meticulous planning, advanced training, and a multidisciplinary approach. The Foetal Medicine Centre at Seha Corniche Hospital has performed over 500 therapeutic interventions, achieving outcomes that meet global standards and positioning the UAE as a leader in foetal care.
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Yacht parties, free food boxes for workers: How UAE offices celebrated Diwali
As Diwali, the Festival of Lights, illuminated homes across the UAE, the vibrant celebrations extended into workplaces, showcasing the country’s multicultural ethos. Offices in Dubai and beyond embraced the festive spirit, blending work and tradition in creative and inclusive ways. From yacht parties to traditional Indian attire, sweets, and games, the celebrations highlighted the UAE’s commitment to honoring diverse cultural practices while fostering workplace camaraderie. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most significant festivals in India and is celebrated by millions worldwide, including the UAE’s diverse community. Despite falling on a weekday, the festival’s message of light, positivity, and togetherness resonated strongly across offices. Companies like Kreston Menon Chartered Accountants and Aspire International Building Materials Trading LLC organized grand festivities, including lunches, games, and special prayers. Swati Arora of Kreston Menon shared that their office planned a full-fledged Diwali party later in the week, allowing employees to fully immerse themselves in the celebrations. Charu Gupta of Aspire International highlighted their pre-Diwali yacht party and the distribution of food boxes to warehouse workers, emphasizing inclusivity. Employees like Namita Aneesh of MFC brought a touch of home to the workplace, dressing in traditional attire and sharing sweets, creating a festive atmosphere even on a busy workday. These celebrations reflect the UAE’s multicultural fabric and its ability to harmonize cultural traditions with professional environments.
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Cable failure and maintenance flaws contributed to Portugal streetcar crash, investigation says
A devastating streetcar accident in Lisbon, Portugal, last month, which claimed 16 lives and left 21 injured, has been attributed to a combination of a failed steel cable and significant maintenance deficiencies, according to an official preliminary report released on Monday. The incident, one of the city’s most tragic in recent history, involved a century-old funicular streetcar, a beloved tourist attraction that traverses a steep hill in tandem with a second car. The streetcar derailed on a bend, hurtling down the hill before crashing into a building, reducing the wooden cabin to a mangled wreck. Among the victims, 11 were foreign nationals. The Office for Air and Rail Accident Prevention and Investigation revealed that the underground steel haulage cable, which connected the two cars and balanced their weight, was inadequate for its purpose. The cable, in use for less than a year, lacked certification for public transport and was improperly installed, contravening the manufacturer’s guidelines. The report highlighted five instances where the maintenance program referenced ‘non-existent, inapplicable, or outdated standards.’ Following the cable’s failure, safety systems cut power to the streetcar, rendering the pneumatic brake ineffective and the manual brake insufficient to halt the car’s descent. Investigators are also examining potential improvements to the streetcar’s braking system. The preliminary report does not assign liability or blame, with a more comprehensive final report expected next year.
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Amazon Web Services confirms global recovery after outage impacts UAE users
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has confirmed the full recovery of its global services following a significant outage that impacted users worldwide, including those in the UAE. The disruption, which lasted nearly three hours, affected major platforms such as Roblox, Snapchat, Fortnite, and Amazon.com. AWS attributed the issue to a DNS resolution problem related to the DynamoDB API endpoint in the US-East-1 region, which caused increased error rates and latency for multiple services.
The outage, which began in the early afternoon, left hundreds of UAE users struggling with online disruptions. Snapchat users reported issues with loading and sending messages, while Fortnite and Perplexity experienced smaller-scale disruptions. AWS implemented initial mitigations within two hours, observing early signs of recovery, but warned that some requests might continue to fail until full resolution was achieved.
This incident highlights the growing reliance on cloud services and the potential vulnerabilities of such systems. AWS, a subsidiary of Amazon, competes with Google and Microsoft in providing on-demand computing power, data storage, and other digital services to companies, governments, and individuals. The outage underscores the need for robust contingency plans to minimize the impact of such disruptions on global operations.
This is not the first time the UAE has faced internet-related challenges. In September, undersea fiber cuts in the Red Sea caused disruptions to landline internet, TV streaming, and mobile internet services, leaving users frustrated during a three-day weekend. As digital dependence grows, ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure remains a pressing concern.
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UptexBank launches to drive digital banking innovation in the GCC
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has welcomed a groundbreaking addition to its financial landscape with the launch of UptexBank, a cutting-edge digital banking platform. Officially unveiled on October 12, 2025, during the Dubai Fintech Surge, UptexBank is poised to redefine cross-border banking by integrating advanced technology with robust regulatory compliance. Headquartered in Oman, the institution aims to streamline international transactions for individuals, freelancers, and businesses, offering multi-currency accounts and cost-effective transfer solutions. UptexBank’s launch aligns with the GCC’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes economic diversification, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation. The platform addresses a critical gap in the market, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which contribute significantly to the region’s non-oil GDP but often face challenges with traditional banking services. By providing instant transfers, transparent FX rates starting at 0.2 percent, and multi-currency accounts, UptexBank seeks to empower SMEs and freelancers across the GCC. The institution operates under regulatory licenses in Oman, the UAE, and Canada, ensuring compliance and client protection. Plans are already underway for expansion into Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries in 2026, with further international growth anticipated in 2027. Early access registration is now open for businesses and freelancers eager to join this transformative platform.
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Sharjah: Property transactions for first 9 months in 2025 exceed year-total of 2024
Sharjah’s real estate sector has witnessed an unprecedented surge in 2025, with property transactions in the first nine months already surpassing the entire year’s total for 2024. Official data from the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department (SRERD) reveals that transactions reached Dh44.3 billion, marking a remarkable 58.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This figure exceeds the Dh40 billion recorded for the entirety of 2024, signaling robust growth and heightened investor confidence. The number of property deals also rose significantly, with 80,320 transactions—a 16.3% increase from the previous year. Mortgage-financed purchases also saw a notable uptick, reflecting a broad-based market expansion. By mid-2025, the emirate had already recorded Dh27 billion in transactions, a 48.1% increase over H1 2024. Market segmentation highlights diverse strength, with over 24,200 sales transactions across 239 areas, covering more than 150 million sq ft of traded space. Investors from 121 nationalities participated, with Emirati nationals leading the volume at Dh21.1 billion, followed by foreign investors at Dh13.1 billion. Sharjah’s affordability, strategic regulatory reforms, and community-centric developments have been key drivers of this growth. Abdul Aziz Ahmed Al-Shamsi, SRERD’s Director-General, attributed the surge to the emirate’s solid investment infrastructure and integrated development vision. While the market’s momentum is strong, analysts caution that maintaining yields and addressing infrastructure constraints will be crucial for sustained growth.
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Aerial photos reveal Guizhou’s dramatic karst landscape
Recent aerial photographs have unveiled the breathtaking karst landscapes of Guizhou province, showcasing its dramatic gorges and serpentine rivers that sculpt the region’s natural beauty. The images, captured near Qianxi city along the upper reaches of the Wujiang River, highlight the crystal-clear waters meandering between towering cliffs. This area exemplifies quintessential karst topography, with jagged mountain peaks of diverse shapes rising abruptly from the canyon’s edges, creating a rugged and awe-inspiring vista. The photographs not only underscore the geological uniqueness of Guizhou but also serve as a testament to the province’s natural wonders, drawing attention to its potential as a destination for eco-tourism and geological studies. The striking visuals provide a rare perspective on one of China’s most distinctive landscapes, emphasizing the interplay of water and rock that has shaped this region over millennia.
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Guizhou’s Huanggang village named on UN Best Tourism Village list
Huanggang Village, nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Southwest China’s Guizhou province, has achieved international recognition by being named to the United Nations’ Best Tourism Villages 2025 list. The announcement, made on Friday, highlights the village’s exceptional contributions to sustainable tourism and cultural preservation. Huanggang is one of four Chinese villages to receive this prestigious accolade, alongside others from Sichuan, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu provinces. The award ceremony, attended by the village’s Party secretary, underscored the global significance of Huanggang’s efforts in promoting rural tourism and community development. This recognition not only celebrates the village’s unique heritage but also positions it as a model for sustainable tourism practices worldwide. The inclusion of Huanggang on the UN list is expected to boost local tourism, enhance economic opportunities, and inspire other rural communities to follow suit.
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‘People can breathe’: Hope for peace on Afghan-Pakistan border
After a week of intense violence, a new ceasefire agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan has sparked hope for peace and the revival of vital cross-border trade. The clashes, which erupted following explosions in Kabul on October 9, led to retaliatory strikes and significant casualties on both sides. The Taliban government accused Pakistan of orchestrating the blasts, prompting Islamabad to vow a robust response. After initial 48-hour truce on Wednesday, further Pakistani strikes on Friday targeted armed groups allegedly harbored by the Taliban. However, a second ceasefire was approved on Sunday, bringing relief to border communities. Residents in Torkham, a key crossing point, have begun to resume daily activities, with bakers, vendors, and shopkeepers returning to work. Over 1,500 trucks laden with essential goods remain stranded, highlighting the economic toll of the conflict. Abdul Rahman Habib, a Taliban economy ministry spokesman, warned of rising prices, unemployment, and market instability if trade disruptions persist. Both sides have emphasized the need to separate trade from political disputes. Peace talks in Doha, Qatar, have laid the groundwork for lasting peace mechanisms, though details remain undisclosed. Locals on both sides of the border, heavily reliant on cross-border trade, expressed optimism for a durable resolution to the conflict.