Venice has become the temporary home of an acrobatic wild dolphin named Mimmo, who has captivated both locals and tourists with his playful antics. However, his prolonged stay in the bustling St. Mark’s Basin has raised concerns among marine experts. Mimmo’s refusal to leave the area, despite efforts to guide him to open waters, has exposed him to significant dangers, including injuries from boat propellers. On Saturday, multiple agencies attempted to relocate Mimmo using low-intensity acoustic devices, but the dolphin returned within an hour, highlighting the challenges of his situation. Veterinarian Guido Pietroluongo from the University of Padua’s emergency response team for stranded marine mammals emphasized the risks posed by the heavy boat traffic in the area. Mimmo’s arrival in the Venetian lagoon on July 23 is believed to have been driven by his pursuit of fish. While his superficial wounds are expected to heal, experts worry about his continued safety. Authorities are urging the public to avoid feeding or interacting with Mimmo, as such actions are illegal and could further stress the animal. Despite the risks, Mimmo’s presence has brought a rare and enchanting spectacle to Venice, though his long-term well-being remains a pressing concern.
作者： admin
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Dubai: Gold prices plunge nearly Dh5 as 22K slips below Dh450 per gram
Gold prices in Dubai experienced a significant decline on Tuesday, with 22K gold slipping below Dh450 per gram, marking a drop of nearly Dh5. The global spot gold price also fell by 1.5% to $4,011.8 per ounce, driven by a stronger US dollar and diminishing expectations of US interest rate cuts. In Dubai, 24K gold opened at Dh483.5 per gram, down from Dh485.75 on Monday, while 22K gold decreased to Dh447.5 per gram from Dh449.75. Other variants, including 21K and 18K, opened at Dh429.25 and Dh368.0 per gram, respectively. The decline in gold prices reflects broader market uncertainty, exacerbated by delayed US economic data releases following a government shutdown. Analysts, including Fadi Al Kurdi of FFA Kings, noted that missing economic indicators have heightened market sensitivity, with potential weaknesses in upcoming reports possibly bolstering the case for Federal Reserve rate cuts. However, cautious remarks from Fed officials, such as San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly and Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari, have tempered expectations of further easing. Persistent geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East continue to support gold demand, providing some stability amidst the volatility.
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Huge fire in the Croatian capital destroys landmark tower
A devastating fire engulfed the iconic Vjesnik Tower in the heart of Zagreb, Croatia, reducing the historic skyscraper to ruins. The blaze, which erupted near the top of the 16-story building late Monday night, rapidly descended, thwarting the efforts of approximately 100 firefighters to contain it. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported, as the building was largely unoccupied at the time of the incident. By midday Tuesday, the flames appeared to be extinguished, though the structure continued to smolder, with debris reportedly falling due to the intensity of the fire. Croatian media suggested that the fire may have spread through ventilation shafts. Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomasevic expressed his dismay at the extensive damage, stating, ‘From what I saw on site and inside the building, the damage is unfortunately total.’ He remained optimistic, however, about the potential for restoration, emphasizing the building’s significance in the city’s landscape. The Vjesnik Tower, once home to a prominent newspaper of the same name, had been vacant for over a decade, leaving its future uncertain until this tragic event.
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EU to assess whether Amazon and Microsoft cloud businesses need extra scrutiny
European Union regulators are intensifying their examination of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, contemplating whether these cloud computing giants should be classified as ‘gatekeepers’ under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA, a comprehensive regulatory framework, aims to curb the market dominance of major tech companies by imposing strict operational guidelines and penalties for non-compliance. Gatekeepers are subject to additional obligations, and the EU has already designated other segments of Amazon and Microsoft, such as Amazon Marketplace and LinkedIn, under this classification. However, applying the gatekeeper label to cloud services presents unique challenges, as it is partly based on user numbers, which are less straightforward to measure in the cloud computing sector. The European Commission is investigating whether AWS and Azure serve as critical intermediaries between businesses and consumers, despite not meeting the traditional thresholds. Market research indicates that these providers hold significant market power, influencing both business and consumer landscapes. The recent AWS outage, which disrupted internet services for hours, underscored the critical reliance of digital services, including artificial intelligence, on cloud computing platforms. AWS has expressed confidence that the European Commission will recognize the dynamic and competitive nature of the cloud sector, emphasizing the risks of stifling innovation and increasing costs for European companies. Microsoft has also highlighted the innovative and competitive environment of Europe’s cloud industry, pledging to cooperate with the Commission’s inquiry.
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MI5 warns lawmakers that Chinese spies are trying to reach them via LinkedIn
The UK’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, has issued a stark warning to British lawmakers about an escalating espionage threat from China. In a recent alert, MI5 revealed that Chinese operatives are actively using professional networking platforms like LinkedIn, recruitment agencies, and front companies to ‘recruit and cultivate’ individuals within the UK government, parliament, and other influential sectors. House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle emphasized that these efforts aim to gather sensitive information and establish long-term relationships to further China’s strategic interests. The alert specifically named two individuals, Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, as key figures in these espionage activities. Home Office Minister Dan Jarvis condemned the covert operations as a calculated attempt by a foreign power to interfere with the UK’s sovereign affairs, vowing that the government would not tolerate such actions. This warning follows a high-profile case in September 2023, where charges against two men accused of spying for China were dropped due to the government’s refusal to testify under oath about China’s threat to national security. MI5 Director-General Ken McCallum has consistently highlighted the persistent threat posed by Chinese state actors, including cyberespionage, technology theft, and covert interference in UK public life. The UK’s intelligence community remains on high alert as it continues to counter these sophisticated espionage efforts.
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US House expected to approve resolution to release Epstein files
The US House of Representatives is poised to pass a resolution demanding the Justice Department release the so-called ‘Epstein files,’ a collection of documents gathered during investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. House Speaker Mike Johnson anticipates strong bipartisan support for the measure, which is scheduled for a vote on Tuesday. This development follows former President Donald Trump’s recent reversal of his stance, now urging Republican lawmakers to back the resolution. However, the release of the files remains uncertain, as the measure must also clear the Senate. Survivors of Epstein’s abuse are expected to testify on Capitol Hill in support of the resolution. On Monday evening, the advocacy group World Without Exploitation projected images of survivors onto buildings in Washington, accompanied by the message: ‘Congress, release all of the files.’ Lawmakers from both parties believe the documents could implicate influential figures in Epstein’s crimes. While some Epstein-related materials have been made public in recent years, including thousands of emails released last week by the House Oversight Committee, the full scope of the files remains undisclosed. Trump, who initially opposed the resolution, now claims he would sign it into law if approved by Congress, though he cautioned against excessive public discussion. Critics, including Representative Robert Garcia, argue that Trump has the authority to release the files immediately. Meanwhile, concerns persist that the Senate may alter the resolution, potentially delaying its passage. Attorney General Pam Bondi has also initiated federal investigations into several high-profile individuals mentioned in the released documents.
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US to sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia, Trump says ahead of crown prince’s visit
In a significant development in US-Saudi relations, President Donald Trump announced plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia during a White House meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump praised Saudi Arabia as a ‘great ally,’ emphasizing the strengthening of bilateral ties. This meeting marks the Crown Prince’s first visit to the White House since the controversial killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, an incident linked to Saudi agents. While a US intelligence report implicated Prince Mohammed in the operation, he has consistently denied involvement. The leaders are expected to discuss defense and civilian nuclear power agreements, building on the $142 billion arms deal signed in May 2023, described as the ‘largest defense sales agreement in history.’ However, the potential sale of F-35s has raised concerns among US defense officials and Israeli leaders. Critics fear Saudi Arabia could share sensitive stealth technology with China, while Israel worries about its military edge in the region. Additionally, Trump is expected to advocate for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel, though Saudi officials have linked this to progress on Palestinian statehood—a condition rejected by Israel’s current government.
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AI should be used to inject more vitality into city culture, experts say
At the 2025 World Conference on City Culture held in Shanghai’s Hongkou district from November 14 to 16, experts emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping urban cultural landscapes. Against the backdrop of AI’s rapid proliferation, they called for innovative approaches to infuse city culture with renewed vitality. The conference highlighted how AI technologies are fostering new cultural ecosystems by integrating sectors such as tourism, business, and sports, thereby creating robust consumption engines. AI is also revolutionizing the production and delivery of culture, enabling creative expressions that transcend traditional time and space constraints. Emerging models like digitalized tourism and smart technology-based industries are providing deeper, more detailed insights into city culture. Hongkou district, a focal point of these advancements, has seen significant economic growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), with its GDP surpassing 150 billion yuan ($21 billion) by the end of 2024. The value of technology service providers in the district has surged ninefold since 2020, underscoring AI’s pivotal role in driving development.
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Nobel laureate delves into whether life exists elsewhere at Fudan University
The 13th Shanghai Master Forum on Science, hosted at Fudan University, featured an enthralling lecture by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Didier Queloz. The Swiss scientist, renowned for his co-discovery of the first exoplanet in 1995, took the audience on a journey through the mysteries of astrophysics and the search for life beyond Earth. Queloz, who made the groundbreaking discovery alongside his advisor Michel Mayor, emphasized that the exploration of exoplanets is not about finding an alternative home for humanity but rather about deepening our understanding of the universe. ‘Earth is our shared home, and the goal of this research is to live peacefully here,’ he stated. The forum highlighted the transformative impact of Queloz’s work on astronomy and the ongoing quest to uncover whether life exists elsewhere in the cosmos.
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‘Another feather in his cap’ as parrot named after ‘hat-trick hero’
In a heartwarming tribute to Republic of Ireland footballer Troy Parrott, Dublin Zoo has officially named a male citron-crested cockatoo after the national hero. The 23-year-old striker secured Ireland’s place in the World Cup play-offs with a stunning hat-trick and a 96th-minute winning goal against Hungary on Sunday, sparking nationwide celebrations. The previously unnamed parrot, a critically endangered species, has now been christened Troy in honor of Parrott’s historic achievement. Zookeeper Diana Farrell described the moment as ‘beautiful and joyous,’ emphasizing the zoo’s desire to celebrate ‘Ireland’s hat-trick hero.’ While fans had called for a statue, Farrell humorously noted that naming the parrot was ‘another feather in his cap.’ The newly named Troy, described as ‘chirpy, cheerful, and inquisitive,’ is one of only two citron-crested cockatoos at the zoo. He shares his enclosure with a female named Katie, after Irish footballer Katie McCabe. The zoo hopes the pair will breed as part of the European Zoo Breeding Programme to help conserve the critically endangered species. Farrell expressed optimism that the naming would attract more visitors to the zoo, raising awareness about the plight of these rare parrots. She also hopes the real Troy Parrott will visit his namesake, adding that many zookeepers are avid football fans. The tribute has already garnered significant attention, with Dublin Airport even temporarily renaming itself ‘Troy Parrott Airport’ on social media.