作者: admin

  • EU naval force races to ship seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia

    EU naval force races to ship seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia

    In a dramatic maritime incident off the coast of Somalia, a Malta-flagged tanker, the Hellas Aphrodite, was seized by pirates on Thursday, prompting a swift response from the European Union’s naval force. The vessel, carrying gasoline from India to South Africa, was attacked with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, forcing its 24-member crew to seek refuge in a secure citadel aboard the ship. The EU’s Operation Atalanta, an anti-piracy coalition, confirmed that its assets were en route to the scene, located over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) off the Somali coast, and prepared to take necessary action. Simultaneously, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported another attempted pirate approach in the same area on Friday, involving a small vessel with three individuals believed to be part of the same pirate group. This latest hijacking marks the first commercial ship seized by Somali pirates since May 2024, reigniting concerns over maritime security in the region. Somali piracy, which peaked in 2011 with 237 attacks, had significantly declined due to international naval patrols and Somalia’s strengthening governance. However, recent instability, including Yemen’s Houthi rebel activities in the Red Sea, has contributed to a resurgence of pirate attacks. Local fisherman Osman Abdi from Mogadishu expressed fears that such incidents would stigmatize Somali fishermen, associating them with piracy and instilling widespread fear.

  • Dubai Garden Glow to reopen as a day park; new location revealed

    Dubai Garden Glow to reopen as a day park; new location revealed

    Dubai Garden Glow, a beloved family attraction known for its enchanting glow-in-the-dark displays, is set to reopen with a significant transformation. For the first time since its inception a decade ago, the park will operate as a day park, welcoming visitors from 10am to 9pm daily. Previously, it opened only after 5pm. The park, which had announced its closure after 10 successful seasons, has relocated to a new site next to Dubai Frame at Zabeel Park Gate 3. Organizers confirmed the move on Instagram, promising all-new attractions, including an upgraded Dinosaur Park and a Fantasy Park. The new location marks a fresh chapter for Dubai Garden Glow, shifting from an evening-only spectacle to an all-day experience. Visitors will enjoy two experiences under one ticket, although the official reopening date and entry fees are yet to be announced. The Dinosaur Park will feature life-size animatronic dinosaurs with movement and sound effects, alongside new interactive displays for hands-on learning. The Fantasy Park will offer whimsical, Instagram-worthy structures blending natural scenery with imaginative art installations. Since its opening in 2015, Dubai Garden Glow has captivated millions with its illuminated displays made from recyclable materials, combining sustainability with spectacle. More details, including ticket prices and the official opening date, are expected to be announced soon.

  • Xinjiang launches consumption voucher program to boost winter tourism

    Xinjiang launches consumption voucher program to boost winter tourism

    In a strategic move to invigorate its winter tourism sector, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China has announced the launch of a consumption voucher program starting November 14, 2025. This initiative, unveiled by the regional culture and tourism department, aims to attract more visitors to its renowned ski resorts during the snowy season. A total of 10,000 vouchers, each valued at 20 yuan (approximately $2.82), will be distributed. These vouchers are redeemable at 11 high-quality ski resorts rated 4S class or above, located in popular winter destinations including Urumqi, Changji, Ili, and Altay. To utilize the voucher, skiers must purchase a ski pass worth at least 100 yuan, and the vouchers can be claimed via a WeChat mini-program. Xinjiang, celebrated for its extended snowy periods and superior snow quality, offers a robust winter tourism experience that combines skiing, snow sightseeing, and cultural immersion. The previous winter season saw a significant influx of 3.57 million tourists to standardized ski resorts in the region, marking a 10.22% increase from the previous year, and generating a tourism revenue of 844 million yuan, up by 39.13%. According to Li Meng, an official from the department, the voucher program is set to continue until February 2026, with the dual objectives of stimulating expenditure on winter sports and fostering the high-quality development of the region’s winter tourism industry.

  • Man jailed for life over ‘monstrous’ killing of family

    Man jailed for life over ‘monstrous’ killing of family

    A 20-year-old Sri Lankan student, Febrio De-Zoysa, has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of six people, including a mother and her four young children, in Ottawa, Canada. The horrific incident occurred in March 2024, when De-Zoysa, who was living in the basement of the Wickramasinghe family’s rented townhouse, fatally stabbed Darshani Ekanayake, 35, and her children: Inuka, 7; Ashwini, 4; Ranaya, 3; and two-month-old Kelly. A family friend, Gamini Amarakoon, 40, was also killed, while the father, Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, sustained injuries. Justice Kevin Phillips, delivering the verdict, described De-Zoysa’s actions as ‘stupefying, monstrous,’ and emphasized the profound loss and grief caused by the crimes. De-Zoysa, who cannot seek parole for 25 years, showed no emotion during most of the hearing but apologized, stating he would spend his life acknowledging the truth of his actions. The victims, except for the newborn, were Sri Lankan immigrants who had moved to Canada in search of a better life. De-Zoysa claimed he committed the murders because he was out of money and did not want to return to Sri Lanka when his student visa expired. He used a 38cm hunting knife, which he had purchased over a month prior, initially intending to take his own life. The tragedy has left the survivors and the community devastated, with Mr. Wickramasinghe expressing that his world has been irreparably destroyed. The case has been described as one of the most shocking incidents of violence in Ottawa’s history.

  • 161 nominations received for Hong Kong LegCo election

    161 nominations received for Hong Kong LegCo election

    The nomination period for the 2025 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election in Hong Kong concluded on Thursday, with a total of 161 nomination forms submitted across various constituencies. The Registration and Electoral Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government confirmed the figures, marking a significant step in the electoral process. The submissions included 51 nominations for geographical constituencies, 60 for functional constituencies, and 50 for the Election Committee constituency. The nomination period ended at 5 pm local time on November 6, 2025. Returning officers will now determine the order of candidates’ names on ballot papers and allocate designated spots for election advertisements through a lottery system on November 7. The Candidate Eligibility Review Committee is expected to publish a notice of validly nominated candidates in the gazette within 14 days. The election, scheduled for December 7, 2025, will determine the composition of the eighth LegCo, playing a pivotal role in Hong Kong’s governance and legislative framework.

  • Hurricane Melissa causes damage in Jamaica equivalent to 30% of GDP: UN official

    Hurricane Melissa causes damage in Jamaica equivalent to 30% of GDP: UN official

    Jamaica is reeling from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, with damages estimated to be equivalent to 30% of the nation’s GDP, according to a UN Development Programme (UNDP) official. Kishan Khoday, UNDP resident representative for the region, revealed during a video conference that initial assessments indicate the financial toll is expected to rise. The Category 5 storm, which struck last week, has left western Jamaica in ruins, generating nearly 5 million metric tonnes of debris. The human cost is equally staggering, with 32 confirmed fatalities and approximately 1.5 million people affected. In response, the UNDP has allocated $400,000 for immediate assessment and recovery efforts, while the UN World Food Programme is airlifting food supplies from Barbados to support over 6,000 households for a week. The scale of the disaster underscores the urgent need for international aid and long-term recovery strategies.

  • Multiple explosions shake a mosque in an Indonesian high school and injure 54

    Multiple explosions shake a mosque in an Indonesian high school and injure 54

    JAKARTA, Indonesia — A series of explosions rocked a mosque during Friday prayers at a state high school in Jakarta, leaving at least 54 people injured, predominantly students, according to police reports. The incident occurred at SMA 27, a school located within a navy compound in the Kelapa Gading neighborhood of northern Jakarta. Witnesses recounted hearing at least two loud blasts around midday, coinciding with the start of the sermon. Chaos ensued as students and worshippers fled the mosque, which was quickly engulfed in gray smoke. The majority of the victims sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe, primarily caused by shattered glass. Jakarta Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri indicated that the explosions originated near the mosque’s loudspeaker, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Emergency services transported the injured to nearby hospitals, with 20 students still receiving medical attention, three of whom are in serious condition. Authorities discovered toy rifles and a toy gun near the mosque, prompting further scrutiny. Suheri urged the public to refrain from speculation, emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing and that the findings will be disclosed in due course.

  • Kazakhstan sends 1st wheat shipment to Armenia via Azerbaijan in 30 years

    Kazakhstan sends 1st wheat shipment to Armenia via Azerbaijan in 30 years

    In a landmark development, Kazakhstan has successfully dispatched its first wheat shipment to Armenia via Azerbaijan in over 30 years. This historic move was facilitated by recent agreements between the leaders of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, which reopened transit routes through Azerbaijani territory. The shipment, consisting of 15 rail wagons, crossed the Azerbaijani border on Thursday and is en route to Dalarik railway station in Armenia, where it is expected to arrive within days. The initiative marks a significant step in enhancing regional trade and logistics connectivity in the South Caucasus. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture, this new transit route not only expands the export potential of Kazakh grain but also strengthens economic and trade cooperation among neighboring countries. The resumption of this trade corridor underscores the growing diplomatic and economic ties in the region, paving the way for future collaborative ventures.

  • Gaza peace force needs ‘legitimacy’: UN

    Gaza peace force needs ‘legitimacy’: UN

    United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that any stabilization force deployed in Gaza must derive its legitimacy from a mandate by the UN Security Council. Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Guterres underscored the necessity of a ceasefire that paves the way for a two-state solution and the recognition of an independent Palestinian state. His comments come amid ongoing discussions among Arab and Muslim-majority countries, who recently convened in Istanbul to deliberate on the establishment of an international peace force for Gaza. While some nations expressed reluctance to contribute troops, there was consensus that such a force would require UN Security Council authorization to be effective. Guterres lamented the Security Council’s diminished capacity to address crises, citing the veto power of superpowers often directly involved in conflicts. Since October 2023, the US has vetoed five ceasefire resolutions, the latest in June 2024. Senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk criticized the proposal for an international force, arguing that it would serve as a substitute for the Israeli army and fail to address Palestinian rights. Meanwhile, eight Palestinian factions, led by Hamas, are set to meet in Cairo to discuss forming a transitional administration for Gaza. Belal Alakhras, a research fellow at the University of Malaya, warned that legitimizing a framework bypassing Palestinian rights through the Security Council sets a dangerous precedent. He urged the international community to focus on recovery and reconstruction rather than imposing interventions that could exacerbate suffering.

  • Fifty-four people injured in mosque blast at Jakarta high school

    Fifty-four people injured in mosque blast at Jakarta high school

    A devastating explosion occurred during Friday prayers at a mosque located within a high school complex in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, Indonesia. The incident resulted in injuries to dozens of worshippers, with 54 individuals rushed to hospitals for treatment. Jakarta Metropolitan Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri confirmed the casualties during a televised press briefing, noting that the injuries ranged from minor to severe, including burns. Authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion, with a bomb disposal team from the Mobile Brigade Corps deployed to conduct a detailed search of the area. The incident has raised concerns about safety and security in public spaces, particularly in places of worship. As the investigation unfolds, the community remains on edge, awaiting further updates from law enforcement officials.