In a landmark decision, Khaled El-Enany, Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, has been appointed as the new Director-General of UNESCO. This appointment marks a significant milestone for both Egypt and the global cultural heritage community. El-Enany, renowned for his expertise in preserving and promoting Egypt’s rich historical legacy, brings a wealth of experience to the role. His tenure as minister saw unprecedented advancements in Egypt’s tourism sector and the restoration of iconic archaeological sites. As UNESCO’s leader, El-Enany is expected to champion global efforts in cultural preservation, education, and sustainable development. His appointment underscores the growing recognition of Egypt’s pivotal role in shaping international heritage policies. The global community anticipates his leadership will foster greater collaboration in addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, cultural diversity, and the protection of endangered heritage sites.
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Waterway aims to revitalize Beijing’s urban rivers
A new 15-kilometer boat route connecting Beijing’s Chaoyang district to the municipal administrative center in Tongzhou district officially opened on a trial basis on Wednesday. This initiative is part of a broader effort to rejuvenate the city’s urban waterways and enhance their role in local tourism and commerce. The journey begins at INDIGO Harbor, a riverside location near a popular shopping mall on the Bahe River, and extends to the Wenyu River in Tongzhou. The route offers picturesque views of the changing seasons, with plans to transform it into a vibrant waterfront corridor featuring diverse flora and landscapes throughout the year. Beyond its scenic appeal, the boat line is expected to boost local businesses and tourism by connecting key cultural and commercial hubs such as Taikoo Place Beijing, Langyuan Station, and the 798·751 Art District. Officials from Chaoyang district’s water bureau revealed ambitious plans to expand waterway connectivity during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), aiming to create a 43.4-kilometer waterfront corridor linking the Bahe River to the Beihucheng River upstream and the Qinghe-Wenyu River and Beiyun River systems downstream. The project also envisions integrating waterways with greenways, walking paths, and nearby parks to establish a seamless network of blue, green, and urban infrastructure across eastern Beijing.
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Pulisic to miss US team’s November friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay, Reyna back on roster
The U.S. men’s national soccer team has unveiled its 25-man roster for the upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay, marking the penultimate matches before coach Mauricio Pochettino finalizes his squad for the pre-World Cup training camp. Notably, star midfielder Christian Pulisic will miss the games due to a hamstring injury sustained in an October 14 friendly against Australia, though AC Milan has indicated he could return for their Serie A match this weekend. Pulisic, the team’s top player, faced criticism earlier this year for skipping the CONCACAF Gold Cup to prioritize rest ahead of the European season and World Cup. Meanwhile, Gio Reyna, son of former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna, returns to the roster for the first time since March, despite limited playing time at Borussia Mönchengladbach due to a thigh injury. Other notable absences include midfielder Weston McKennie and goalkeeper Matt Turner, while Ricardo Pepi, Tyler Adams, and Auston Trusty make their return to the squad. The U.S., ranked 16th globally, will face No. 39 Paraguay on November 15 in Chester, Pennsylvania, and 15th-ranked Uruguay on November 18 in Tampa, Florida. The roster also features several MLS players whose teams were recently eliminated from the playoffs, including defender Alex Freeman and midfielder Diego Luna. With injuries sidelining key players like Cameron Carter-Vickers, Antonee Robinson, and Tim Weah, Pochettino’s selections reflect a mix of experience and emerging talent as the team prepares for its World Cup opener on June 12.
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Philippines urges provincial officials to prepare for incoming storm
The Philippines is bracing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Fung-wong, which is expected to intensify into a super typhoon in the coming days. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued a directive urging provincial officials to prepare for the potentially devastating storm. This warning comes just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi wreaked havoc across the country, claiming over 140 lives and leaving 127 people missing. In response to the dual threats, President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos declared a state of national calamity on Thursday. The DILG has called on local government units (LGUs) to take immediate action, including clearing waterways and drainage systems, inspecting roads and bridges, and ensuring evacuation centers are well-stocked with essential supplies. According to the state weather bureau, Fung-wong is likely to reach typhoon status by Friday and could escalate to super typhoon strength by Saturday. The storm is predicted to make landfall in northern or central Luzon on Monday, potentially at its peak intensity. The Philippines remains on high alert as it faces the compounding challenges of recovery from Kalmaegi and preparation for Fung-wong.
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AeroNero and OI Brewing Co. launch AQUAIR, India’s first bottled water made from air
In a groundbreaking move for India’s beverage and sustainability sectors, AeroNero Solutions Pvt Ltd, a pioneer in Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) technology, has joined forces with OI Brewing Co. to unveil AQUAIR, India’s inaugural bottled water brand derived entirely from atmospheric moisture. This innovative venture signifies a monumental shift in the bottled water industry, offering a renewable drinking water source that eliminates the need for groundwater extraction. Production is set to begin in Pune, with a daily capacity of 10,000 liters, targeting both retail consumers and the broader beverage market. AeroNero will deploy its cutting-edge AWG machines, while OI Brewing Co. will manage bottling, branding, and market distribution, positioning AQUAIR as a premium, eco-conscious water brand. The AWG technology extracts humidity from the air, condenses it, and purifies the water through a multi-stage filtration and mineralization process, delivering lab-certified, naturally pure drinking water. Dr. Durga Das, CEO of AeroNero, emphasized that AQUAIR embodies a future where water is created without depleting natural resources, stating, ‘We are literally producing hope from thin air.’ Aman Talreja of OI Brewing Co. echoed this sentiment, describing AQUAIR as a reimagining of responsible water sourcing. Dr. Subash Cipy, founder of OI Brewing Co., highlighted the technology’s potential to address water scarcity and reshape industry practices. Ketaki Sehgal of AeroNero praised the partnership for its alignment with sustainability goals. Ravi Karkara, co-founder of the Global Air Water Generation Initiative, underscored the transformative potential of AWG in democratizing access to clean water. With plans to expand production across major cities, AQUAIR aligns with India’s Mission LiFE and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, championing a regenerative model for water access and sustainable consumption.
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Appeal to stop controversial ostrich cull dismissed by Canada’s top court
Canada’s Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal to halt the contentious culling of hundreds of ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in British Columbia, leaving the farm owners with limited legal recourse. The cull was mandated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in December following an avian flu outbreak that claimed the lives of 69 birds. Despite the farm’s efforts to challenge the order, including proposing the use of surviving ostriches for scientific research, the courts have consistently upheld the CFIA’s decision. The agency argues that the birds’ exposure to the virus poses significant risks to both wildlife and humans, disputing claims of immunity among the surviving flock. The Supreme Court’s dismissal of the appeal on Thursday paves the way for the cull to proceed, though the CFIA has not specified a timeline. The farm owners, including Katie Pasitney, who tearfully appealed for a miracle on social media, now face the grim reality of losing their flock. Protesters gathered at the farm as the court’s decision was announced, highlighting the emotional and ethical dimensions of the case. The CFIA has emphasized its expectation that the farm owners and their supporters will respect the legal outcome.
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Israeli West Bank raids leave Palestinian boy and grandmother dead
Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank on Thursday resulted in the deaths of a Palestinian teenager and an elderly woman, marking another tragic chapter in the ongoing conflict. In the town of al-Yamoun, west of Jenin, 15-year-old Murad Fawzi Abu Seifen was fatally shot by Israeli soldiers during a raid. Reports indicate that paramedics were prevented from reaching the wounded boy, who bled for over 20 minutes before his body was taken by the troops. The Israeli army claimed the teenager had thrown an “explosive device” at their forces, though no injuries were reported among the soldiers. In a separate incident in al-Mazraa al-Gharbiya, northwest of Ramallah, 80-year-old Haniyeh Hanoun died from shock during a raid on her home. Her grandson was arrested in the same operation. Local media reported that Hanoun had pre-existing health conditions. Disturbing images from the scene showed overturned furniture and scattered belongings, while an ambulance was seen rushing to the house. Since October 2023, Israeli forces have intensified raids, air strikes, and land seizures in the West Bank, resulting in the deaths of 1,065 Palestinians and the arrest of over 20,000, including 1,600 children. Concurrently, Israeli authorities have expanded settlements, with plans for 356 new units in the Adam settlement north of Jerusalem. This expansion has been condemned as part of a broader policy to consolidate control over Palestinian territories, which international law deems illegal. The International Court of Justice has ruled Israel’s occupation as “unlawful,” and activists argue that settlements fragment the West Bank and exacerbate Palestinian hardship. Despite global criticism, Israel continues to authorize thousands of new settlement units annually, further complicating prospects for peace.
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UN warns global climate goals slipping out of reach
The United Nations has issued a stark warning that global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions are falling dangerously short of what is needed to prevent catastrophic climate change. In its latest Emissions Gap Report 2025, titled ‘Off Target – Continued Collective Inaction Puts Global Temperature Goal at Risk,’ the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) revealed that the planet is on track for up to 2.8 degrees Celsius of warming this century, despite a decade of commitments under the Paris Agreement. This alarming projection underscores the widening chasm between climate pledges and tangible action. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling for immediate and accelerated efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. He urged nations to peak global emissions immediately, deepen emission reductions, sharply cut methane, transition rapidly from fossil fuels to renewables, and protect forests and oceans. The report highlighted that global greenhouse gas emissions rose by 2.3 percent in 2024, reaching a record 58 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The Group of 20 (G20) economies, responsible for 77 percent of these emissions, must lead the charge in reducing their carbon footprint. While some progress has been made, with 60 parties to the Paris Agreement submitting updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the overall impact remains insufficient. The report also warned that the planned withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement in 2026 could erase 0.1 degrees Celsius of progress. Despite these challenges, the UNEP pointed to promising trends in renewable energy, particularly China’s expanding capacity, which is driving global progress toward cleaner electricity systems. However, to keep the 1.5-degree target within reach, global emissions must decline by at least 43 percent by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. As the world prepares for the COP30 Climate Conference in Belem, Brazil, the UN is calling for a unified and bold response to bridge the gap between ambition and implementation, emphasizing that every fraction of a degree avoided reduces the risk of irreversible climate impacts.
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Dallas Cowboys’ Kneeland dies aged 24
The sports world is mourning the untimely death of Marshawn Kneeland, a promising defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, who passed away at the age of 24. Kneeland, who was the 56th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, had a brief but impactful career with the Cowboys, playing in 18 games and making four starts. His sudden death has left teammates, fans, and the NFL community in shock. According to the Frisco Police Department in Texas, Kneeland’s death appears to be a result of suicide following a vehicle pursuit and a multi-agency search on Wednesday night. The police reported that Kneeland crashed his car and fled on foot. Officers were alerted that he had expressed suicidal intentions before he was found deceased at 01:31 local time on Thursday. The Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office will confirm the official cause of death. The Dallas Cowboys released a heartfelt statement, expressing their grief and extending their condolences to Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina, and his family. Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, shared his deep sorrow, recalling Kneeland’s journey from a hopeful college player at Western Michigan to a respected professional in the NFL. Kneeland had recently scored his first touchdown in a game against the Arizona Cardinals, recovering a blocked punt. The NFL has also expressed its profound sadness over the loss. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the mental health challenges faced by athletes. For those affected by similar issues, resources like the BBC Action Line are available for support.
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APT Global publishes inaugural ESG report and unveils sustainable 400-person labour accommodation
APT Global, a Dubai-based marine and offshore engineering services provider, has taken significant strides in sustainability by releasing its inaugural Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report and inaugurating Hayat Haven, a state-of-the-art accommodation facility for 400 workers. These initiatives highlight the company’s dedication to reducing its environmental impact, enhancing governance transparency, and prioritizing employee welfare. The ESG report details APT Global’s achievements, including a 22% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity, a 68% waste diversion rate from landfills, and a 19% decrease in water consumption per project. The company also introduced a Marine Habitat Protection Programme to minimize environmental harm from underwater operations. On the social front, APT Global invested over 45,000 hours in employee training, achieved zero lost-time injuries across major projects, and increased female representation in leadership roles to 27%. Governance improvements include quarterly ESG reporting with independent verification and enhanced anti-corruption policies. Hayat Haven, the new worker accommodation, features energy-efficient systems, modern amenities, and robust safety measures, reflecting APT Global’s commitment to workforce wellbeing. CEO Anil Abraham emphasized that sustainability is central to the company’s competitiveness and societal responsibility. The launch event in Dubai was attended by government officials, industry leaders, and sustainability experts, marking a pivotal moment in APT Global’s journey toward a greener, safer, and more inclusive maritime sector.