A Dutch beekeeper, Harold Stringer, has expressed profound shock and sorrow after 10 of his beehives were deliberately set ablaze in Beatrixpark, Almere, resulting in the loss of approximately half a million bees. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, has left the local community and environmental advocates deeply concerned. Stringer, who has been tending to bees for nearly a decade, described the act as ‘horrific,’ emphasizing that each hive housed a colony of 40,000 to 60,000 bees. Police in Almere, a city located east of Amsterdam, have launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses. They shared images of the fire on social media, highlighting the severity of the arson attack. Authorities revealed that an accelerant was used to ignite the hives, which were placed on pallets in a wooded area of the park. Sadly, almost none of the bees survived. Stringer expressed skepticism about the perpetrator being caught but vowed to rebuild his bee colony from scratch. Fellow beekeeper Heleen Nieman offered to donate one of her three bee colonies to support him. The incident underscores the broader crisis facing bees in the Netherlands, where over half of the country’s 360 bee species are at risk of extinction due to declining populations worldwide.
作者： admin
-
Labuschagne boosts Ashes case with another century
Marnus Labuschagne has reignited his chances of reclaiming a spot in Australia’s Test squad for the upcoming Ashes series, following a stellar run of form for Queensland. The 31-year-old top-order batter notched his third century in four innings, scoring 105 off 91 balls in Queensland’s One-Day Cup defeat to Tasmania. This performance comes just days after he hammered 160 runs against the same opponents in the Sheffield Shield, Australia’s premier red-ball competition. Labuschagne’s recent exploits also include a 130-run knock off 118 balls in Queensland’s One-Day Cup opener against Victoria in September. Despite being dropped from Australia’s Test squad for the July series against the West Indies, Labuschagne has been in scintillating form, attributing his resurgence to a back-to-basics approach. ‘I felt good out there,’ Labuschagne remarked after his Shield century. ‘I’ve really stripped it back, and my focus is just on scoring runs. It’s not too technical—just what I need to perform.’ Labuschagne faces stiff competition from the likes of Travis Head, Sam Konstas, and Nathan McSweeney for a place in the Ashes squad, potentially as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner. Australia has yet to announce their squad for the Ashes, with the first Test scheduled to begin on November 21 in Perth. England, meanwhile, have already named their squad for the highly anticipated series.
-
Thirteen killed as hospital shelled in besieged Sudan city, BBC told
In a devastating escalation of violence in Sudan’s besieged city of el-Fasher, at least 13 people were killed and 16 others injured, including medical personnel, after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) repeatedly shelled the Saudi Hospital on Tuesday night. The attack, described by Sudanese medics as a war crime, left the hospital in ruins, with shattered windows, shrapnel damage, and a gaping hole in its mud-brick walls. This marks the second assault on the facility this year, following a January strike that claimed the lives of three children. The RSF has besieged el-Fasher for over 17 months, trapping hundreds of thousands of civilians in dire conditions, with aid convoys blocked and most health facilities forced to shut. The city, the last military stronghold in the Darfur region, is now on the brink of collapse as the RSF intensifies its assault. The ongoing civil war, now in its third year, has plunged Sudan into the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands dead and millions displaced. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has warned of an impending catastrophe unless urgent measures are taken to protect civilians and alleviate the siege.
-
EU chief von der Leyen easily survives two more no confidence votes
BRUSSELS (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has once again weathered political storms, emerging unscathed from two no-confidence votes in the European Parliament on Thursday. The motions, initiated by far-right and far-left factions, were decisively rejected by a majority of lawmakers, solidifying von der Leyen’s position at the helm of the EU’s executive branch.
-
De Klerk’s 84 not out stuns India as South Africa wins by 3 wickets at Women’s Cricket World Cup
In a thrilling encounter at the Women’s Cricket World Cup, South Africa pulled off a stunning three-wicket victory against hosts India, thanks to a remarkable performance by Nadine de Klerk. The match, held in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, saw De Klerk score an unbeaten 84 off 54 balls, including five sixes and eight fours, to guide her team to a hard-fought win. South Africa chased down India’s total of 251 with just seven balls to spare, finishing at 252-7 in 48.5 overs. De Klerk’s innings was complemented by skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s steady 70 off 111 balls, which laid the foundation for the chase. Earlier, South Africa’s bowlers, led by Chloe Tyron (3-32) and De Klerk (2-52), had restricted India to 102-6 at one stage. However, Richa Ghosh’s explosive 94 off 77 balls, featuring four sixes and 11 fours, helped India post a competitive total. This victory marks South Africa’s second consecutive win after an initial 10-wicket loss to England, propelling them to fourth place in the standings. The Proteas will next face Bangladesh on Monday. De Klerk, named Player of the Match, expressed her elation, stating, ‘I just wanted to finish the game and give us the best chance. I love being under pressure, and this win gives us a lot of confidence.’ India, now third in the standings with two wins from three games, will face defending champions Australia on Sunday.
-
PepsiCo, fresh off a strong third quarter, says new products will soon boost customer demand
PepsiCo remains optimistic about its future, banking on a wave of innovative products to reinvigorate consumer interest. The company announced on Thursday that it is launching new offerings, such as protein-infused Starbucks coffee, low-sugar Gatorade, and all-natural Doritos, to counter declining demand. This move comes as PepsiCo grapples with shifting consumer preferences, which have impacted its North American food business, leading to a 3% revenue drop in the third quarter. However, CEO Ramon Laguarta emphasized the company’s swift action to phase out underperforming products and reinvest in healthier, more natural alternatives. A new line of Doritos and Cheetos, branded as “NKD,” will feature no artificial flavors or colors, while Tostitos and Lay’s chips without artificial dyes are set to hit U.S. shelves soon. Laguarta highlighted the urgency of innovation to capture growing market segments. On the beverage front, PepsiCo has already seen success with Pepsi Zero Sugar, which experienced double-digit revenue growth, and Mountain Dew, boosted by new flavors like Summer Freeze and Dragon Fruit. North American beverage revenue rose 2% in the same quarter. Despite a 11% decline in net income to $2.6 billion, adjusted earnings of $2.29 per share exceeded analysts’ expectations. PepsiCo’s shares climbed nearly 3% in afternoon trading. The company also faces pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which holds a $4 billion stake and has urged PepsiCo to streamline its portfolio and refranchise its North American bottlers. Laguarta described discussions with Elliott as constructive, with both parties agreeing on PepsiCo’s undervaluation. He also hinted at potential refranchising and emphasized the importance of adapting to future demands, including increased online sales and warehouse efficiency. In a leadership update, PepsiCo appointed Walmart executive Steve Schmitt as its new CFO, replacing Jamie Caulfield, who will retire after over 30 years with the company.
-
Bella Culley case delay to ‘finalise plea bargain’
The legal proceedings against Bella Culley, a 19-year-old British woman who is six months pregnant, have been postponed to facilitate further discussions on a potential plea deal. Culley, from Billingham, Teesside, faces severe charges of drug smuggling in Georgia, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years or life imprisonment if convicted. Her case was heard at Tbilisi City Court, where her defense attorney, Malkhaz Salakaia, indicated plans to seek a presidential pardon once the plea agreement is finalized. Judge Giorgi Gulashvili noted that both the prosecution and defense teams require additional time to determine the financial terms necessary for Culley’s release. Her family has reportedly raised a significant sum to reduce her potential jail time. The hearing was attended by Culley’s mother and grandmother, who have been actively involved in her defense. The case has been adjourned until October 28. Culley was initially reported missing in Thailand before being arrested at Tbilisi International Airport on May 10. Georgian authorities confiscated narcotics from her travel bag, including 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish. During a July hearing, Culley pleaded not guilty, claiming she was coerced into the act under duress. She emphasized her innocence, stating, ‘I just wanted to travel. I am a good person. I am a student at university. I am a clean person. I don’t do drugs.’ The case has drawn significant attention, with updates available on BBC Tees’ social media platforms.
-
South Africa’s Fort Hare university closed as buildings set on fire
The University of Fort Hare, one of South Africa’s most historically significant institutions, has temporarily halted its operations following violent student protests that resulted in several buildings being set ablaze. The unrest, which erupted on the university’s Alice Campus, saw petrol-bomb attacks targeting key administrative and student affairs offices. While no fatalities or serious injuries were reported by the university or local authorities, a student leader claimed that two students sustained injuries during clashes with security personnel. The protests were reportedly triggered by recent changes to student governance structures and demands for the removal of the university’s vice-chancellor. Established in 1916, the University of Fort Hare holds a storied legacy as a training ground for prominent anti-apartheid activists and regional leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Robert Mugabe, and Seretse Khama. Videos circulating online depicted thick plumes of smoke and flames engulfing campus buildings. Vice-chancellor Prof. Sakhela Buhlungu condemned the ‘large-scale destruction of property,’ attributing the violence to ‘sponsored criminality.’ The university has ordered students to vacate the premises by 1700 local time on Thursday, citing safety concerns and disruptions to academic activities. Police spokesperson Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed that four buildings were set on fire, describing the situation as ‘tense.’ Despite the eviction, students have vowed to continue their protests, expressing frustration over what they perceive as the administration’s indifference to their grievances. Education officials are expected to meet with student leaders later on Thursday to address the escalating crisis.
-
Colombia’s president says boat struck by US was carrying Colombians
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused the United States of bombing a vessel carrying Colombian citizens in the Caribbean, a claim the White House has dismissed as ‘baseless.’ The US has conducted at least four strikes in the region in recent weeks, resulting in 21 fatalities. The US government asserts that these operations, carried out in international waters, targeted ‘narco-traffickers.’ However, it has not provided evidence or detailed information about the individuals or cargo aboard the vessels, sparking widespread condemnation across Latin America and concerns over potential violations of international law. On Wednesday, the US Senate rejected a measure that would have required President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval before launching such strikes. The proposal, introduced by Democratic Senators Adam Schiff and Tim Kaine, was defeated in a 48-51 vote, largely along partisan lines. Petro responded to Schiff’s social media post about the measure, warning of a ‘new war scenario in the Caribbean.’ He claimed that the latest vessel bombed was Colombian and urged affected families to come forward. Petro criticized the US actions, stating, ‘There is no war against smuggling; there is a war for oil, and it must be stopped by the world. The aggression is against all of Latin America and the Caribbean.’ The White House, in a statement, denied Petro’s allegations and emphasized its commitment to cooperation with Colombia on regional security. The US has framed its strikes, which began on September 2, as part of an effort to combat drug trafficking, particularly targeting vessels off Venezuela’s coast. A leaked memo to Congress revealed that the US now considers itself in a ‘non-international armed conflict,’ a designation that could justify the use of wartime powers, including targeting ‘enemy fighters’ without immediate threats. Trump has previously labeled several cartels in Mexico, Ecuador, and Venezuela as terrorist organizations, expanding US authority to act against them.
-
Red Cross warns of worsening health crisis in eastern DR Congo
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating healthcare system in the conflict-ridden eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). A recent study conducted in September 2025 across 240 health facilities in North and South Kivu provinces revealed alarming shortages: 85% of these facilities have exhausted their supplies of essential medicines, and nearly 40% reported that healthcare workers have fled due to insecurity and insufficient funding. This crisis is forcing civilians, including women and children, to traverse dangerous combat zones to seek medical care, often only to find clinics devoid of qualified staff and necessary treatments. The ICRC’s deputy health coordinator, Hippolyte Ten, emphasized the dire situation, noting that over 70% of the surveyed facilities have treated weapon-related injuries this year, with hospitals in Beni, Goma, Bukavu, and Fizi reporting a 160% increase in such cases compared to 2024. Additionally, the first half of 2025 saw 948 cases of sexual violence requiring medical and psychosocial support. Francois Moreillon, head of the ICRC delegation in the DRC, highlighted the collapse of humanitarian assistance, leaving 80% of facilities in the Kivu region without partner support. He stressed the urgent need for the delivery of medicines, safe patient transfers, and the protection of medical staff. The ICRC has also called on all conflict parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and safeguard medical personnel and infrastructure. The security situation in eastern DRC has significantly worsened since January, with renewed fighting involving the March 23 Movement rebel group, which has captured several key towns, including Goma and Bukavu. This escalating violence has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian crisis.