In the midst of relentless Israeli air strikes, young girls in Gaza are enduring not only the horrors of war but also the profound challenges of puberty. This pivotal stage of life, marked by significant physical and emotional changes, is exacerbated by the dire conditions of the besieged enclave. With families struggling to survive, essential resources like menstrual products, clean water, and private spaces are scarce, leaving girls to navigate this transition in isolation and distress. Dima Mohammed, a 12-year-old displaced in Gaza City, shared her shock and unpreparedness for the onset of puberty, highlighting the scarcity of hygiene supplies and the overwhelming focus on survival. Her mother lamented the lack of medical care and the compounded physical and psychological suffering caused by the war. Similarly, Maryam Ahmed, another 12-year-old, expressed her unpreparedness for puberty, both mentally and physically, as her mother recounted the impossibility of providing the usual support and celebration due to the war’s devastation. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that around 691,300 women and girls of menstruating age are living in Gaza, with a monthly need for approximately 10,369,500 menstrual pads. However, the Israeli blockade has severely restricted the entry of hygiene supplies, making these products either unavailable or unaffordable. Many women and girls have resorted to makeshift alternatives, such as torn pieces of cloth, further stripping them of dignity. Palestinian psychologist Anhar Farajallah emphasized the heightened physical and emotional risks faced by girls entering puberty under such conditions, noting the lack of privacy, clean water, and essential hygiene products. Umm Ibrahim, a displaced mother in Gaza City, spoke of her daughter’s severe abdominal pain during menstruation and the unaffordable cost of sanitary pads. Eleven-year-old Maria Sharif, despite being prepared by her mother, expressed her feelings of adding a burden to her family due to the high cost of sanitary pads, resorting to improvised alternatives. The war has not only disrupted the lives of these young girls but has also robbed them of the support and resources needed to navigate this crucial stage of life.
作者： admin
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China’s $3 trillion stock rally is outrunning its economy
China’s equity markets have experienced one of their most significant rallies in recent years, with a combined market capitalization increase exceeding US$3 trillion across mainland China and Hong Kong. The CSI 300 index has soared by approximately 16% in 2025, while technology indices have reached their highest levels in a decade. This surge is primarily driven by retail investors, who, bolstered by substantial savings and state-backed liquidity support, are leading the charge. Despite slowing industrial output growth and underwhelming retail sales figures, investors are focusing on China’s long-term economic transformation, shifting away from property dependence toward innovation, advanced manufacturing, and green technology. This rally is distinct from previous speculative cycles, reflecting a deeper confidence in structural reforms and the government’s strategic direction. Individual investors dominate trading volumes, accounting for nearly 90% of daily flows, while Beijing’s efforts to deepen capital markets through policy support and foreign participation are further fueling the momentum. Although certain sectors, such as biotech and AI-linked firms, appear overvalued, the overall rally is seen as a sign of capital aggressively seeking exposure to China’s future economic drivers. The state’s active role in guiding this transition underscores the rally’s sustainability, with measures like widening access to stock options and strengthening market infrastructure laying the groundwork for long-term institutional participation. While caution is advised due to macroeconomic uncertainties and external pressures, the rally signals investors’ belief in China’s ability to reinvent its growth model. If reforms translate into tangible results, this surge could mark the early stages of a transformative economic evolution.
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Robert Mugabe’s son appears in court on drug charge
Robert Mugabe Jr, the 33-year-old son of Zimbabwe’s late former President Robert Mugabe, appeared in a Harare court on Thursday, charged with drug possession. The arrest occurred on Wednesday morning when Mugabe Jr was reportedly driving the wrong way down a one-way street. According to court documents, police searched a black sling bag he was carrying and allegedly discovered two small sachets of cannabis. Following the incident, authorities arrested five individuals allegedly linked to a drug syndicate connected to him. Mugabe Jr’s lawyer, Ashiel Mugiya, has contested the charges, claiming the drugs were found in a car with three other occupants and amounted to only 0.02 grams of cannabis, contrary to the police report stating 2 grams with a street value of $30. Mugabe Jr, dressed in joggers and a red cap, appeared relaxed as he entered the magistrates court, surrounded by people and without handcuffs. The court remanded him in custody pending a bail ruling on Friday. Police also reported recovering 25 sachets of marijuana and six ecstasy pills from the alleged syndicate members. This is not Mugabe Jr’s first legal issue; in 2023, he was arrested for property damage and assaulting a police officer at a Harare party, though he was later released after an out-of-court settlement. His father, Robert Mugabe, who led Zimbabwe for 37 years before resigning in 2017, passed away in 2019. Despite past tensions between the Mugabe family and current President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe Jr has since reconciled with the ruling party, attending a Zanu-PF rally in 2022.
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Donations pour in for family of gunman in Michigan church attack
In a remarkable display of compassion, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have donated over $250,000 to support the family of Thomas Sanford, the man responsible for a devastating attack on a Michigan church that left four dead and eight injured. The incident occurred on Sunday when Sanford drove his truck into the Grand Blanc church during a worship service, opened fire, and set the building ablaze before being fatally shot by police. David Butler, a Utah-based member of the church and a fantasy writer, initiated the fundraiser on GiveSendGo to assist Sanford’s widow and children, who face financial hardship and ongoing medical challenges. Despite the tragedy, many donors identified themselves as Latter-day Saints, expressing empathy and solidarity. The attack has deeply shaken the local community and the church nationwide, prompting vigils and financial support for victims and their families. Investigators are still searching for a motive behind the targeted act of violence, which occurred during a service attended by hundreds. Sanford, a former Marine deployed to Iraq, had a history of arrests but no clear connection to the church. Amid the grief, one survivor shared a poignant letter of forgiveness, highlighting the profound emotional impact of the tragedy.
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Study shows the world is far more ablaze now with damaging fires than in the 1980s
A groundbreaking study published in the journal *Science* has revealed that the frequency of the world’s most destructive wildfires has quadrupled since the 1980s, driven by human-induced climate change and the encroachment of urban areas into wildlands. The research, conducted by a team of international fire scientists from Australia, the United States, and Germany, shifts the focus from the traditional metric of acres burned to the economic and human toll of these disasters. By analyzing the 200 most damaging wildfires since 1980, the study found that these catastrophic events have increased by 4.4 times over the past four decades, with 43% occurring in the last ten years alone. The findings underscore a “climate-linked escalation of societally disastrous wildfires,” according to lead author Calum Cunningham, a pyrogeographer at the University of Tasmania. The study highlights that extreme fire weather conditions—hot, dry, and windy—are becoming more frequent due to the burning of fossil fuels, exacerbating the risk of devastating fires. Additionally, the expansion of urban areas into fire-prone regions, known as the wildland-urban interface, has further amplified the crisis. Cunningham emphasized that while wildfires are a natural phenomenon, human activities have significantly intensified their frequency and severity. The research also noted that economic data on wildfires is often inaccessible, complicating global assessments. However, by combining insurance data from Munich Re with the International Disaster Database, the team was able to provide a comprehensive analysis. Experts not involved in the study, such as Jacob Bendix of Syracuse University and Mike Flannigan of Thompson Rivers University, praised the research for its innovative approach and warned that the trend of increasing extreme fire weather poses a dire challenge for the future. The study calls for urgent action to mitigate climate change and improve wildfire preparedness to prevent further loss of life and economic devastation.
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Captain of tanker linked to Russian ‘shadow fleet’ charged in France
French authorities have charged the Chinese captain of the oil tanker Boracay, suspected to be part of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ used to circumvent international sanctions. The captain faces charges for refusing to comply with instructions from the French navy and is scheduled to appear in court in Brest next February. The Boracay, which departed Russia last month, was intercepted off the coast of Denmark following a series of drone incidents that temporarily shut down several airports. Earlier this week, French soldiers boarded the vessel, which is on the EU’s sanctions list for transporting Russian oil. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the action as ‘piracy,’ while the Kremlin denied any connection to the ship. The Boracay, currently registered in Benin, has undergone multiple name and flag changes in recent years, allegedly to evade sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The French prosecutor noted that the captain failed to provide a coherent explanation regarding the ship’s flag. Both the captain and the second captain, also Chinese nationals, were detained for investigation but only the captain was charged. The Boracay is now anchored near Saint-Nazaire. Under international maritime law, naval forces can stop vessels suspected of lacking nationality. Western nations have imposed sanctions on Russian energy, prompting Moscow to develop a ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers registered in other countries to obscure ownership and movements. French President Emmanuel Macron estimates this fleet comprises 600 to 1,000 ships. The Boracay was previously detained by Estonian authorities for sailing without a valid flag. It departed Primorsk, Russia, on September 20, traversing the Baltic Sea, North Sea, and English Channel en route to Vadinar, India. The incident coincides with unresolved drone incursions into Danish airspace, though Danish authorities found no evidence of Russian involvement. Similar violations have been reported in Poland, Estonia, and Romania, with Moscow denying responsibility.
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Weekly quiz: Who said ‘I do’ to Selena Gomez?
This week witnessed significant developments across various spheres globally. Former U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his strategy to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, drawing attention to his foreign policy stance. Meanwhile, the BBC shed light on deeply rooted issues within the Metropolitan Police, exposing a troubling culture of misogyny and racism that has sparked widespread concern. In the entertainment industry, an AI-generated ‘actress’ caused a stir in Hollywood, raising questions about the future of technology in creative fields. Amid these headlines, the week also saw numerous other events that may have flown under the radar. To test your awareness of global happenings, a quiz curated by Ben Fell invites you to revisit last week’s events or explore past archives. Additionally, in the world of television and music, Selena Gomez made headlines in the United States, further enriching this week’s diverse news landscape.
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London court rules Djibouti illegally seized DP World port, $1 billion dispute drags on
In a landmark ruling, the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) has declared that the government of Djibouti acted unlawfully when it seized the Doraleh Container Terminal (DCT) from Dubai-based logistics giant DP World in 2018. The tribunal confirmed that DP World’s 50-year concession agreement for the port remains valid and binding, while Djibouti owes the company hundreds of millions in damages. This decision marks a significant milestone in a seven-year legal battle that has become one of Africa’s most prominent international investment arbitration cases. The dispute, however, is far from resolved, as DP World’s broader $1 billion claims against the Djibouti government and its Chinese partner, China Merchants Port Holdings, remain active. The LCIA ruled that the 2018 seizure was unlawful, rejecting Djibouti’s claim of having the right to terminate the concession. However, the court declined to award damages against Djibouti’s state-owned Port de Djibouti SA (PDSA), attributing the harm directly to the government. DP World has emphasized that the case underscores the importance of upholding international law and the sanctity of contracts, warning that Djibouti’s defiance of arbitration rulings undermines investor confidence and damages the country’s reputation. The company has vowed to pursue all legal avenues to recover damages and enforce prior awards, highlighting the broader implications of the case for global investors and economic development in Africa.
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Zidane’s son Luca called up to Algeria squad
Luca Zidane, the son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, has been selected to represent Algeria in their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Somalia and Uganda. Born in Aix-en-Provence, France, the 27-year-old goalkeeper has previously played for France at various youth levels but recently opted to switch his international allegiance to Algeria, the homeland of his paternal grandparents.
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Four ill with sepsis after food poisoning outbreak at Stockholm restaurant
A suspected listeria outbreak linked to Coco & Carmen, a high-end restaurant in Stockholm’s Östermalm district, has resulted in multiple hospitalizations and widespread concern. Health authorities report that at least 15 individuals have been treated or are under observation, with four diagnosed with sepsis—a severe immune system reaction that can be life-threatening. While most of the affected individuals are not seriously ill, none have required intensive care so far. The outbreak has prompted an extensive infection tracing effort, initially focusing on diners from September 25 to 27 but later expanded to include those who visited the restaurant on September 23 and 24. Maria Rotzén Östlund, an infectious disease physician, advised anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or diarrhea to seek immediate medical attention. Regional health officials have warned that a significant number of people may have been exposed, particularly vulnerable groups like pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. According to state broadcaster SVT, 80 people have reported food poisoning through a city tracking tool, and 400 have been contacted for infection tracing. Coco & Carmen has voluntarily closed its doors pending an investigation, emphasizing its commitment to guest safety and cooperation with authorities. The restaurant, which has a history of passing food safety inspections, hopes to reopen on October 7. Chef and co-owner Joakim Almquist expressed deep remorse, stating, ‘The only thing I can do is sincerely apologize, because I suffer with these people.’ Listeria, a bacterium found in soil, water, and animals, can contaminate food, especially when stored in cold conditions for extended periods. While most infections cause mild, flu-like symptoms, severe cases can lead to meningitis or sepsis, with an incubation period ranging from several days to three weeks.