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作者： admin
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At the 6-months mark, Pope Leo finds his footing and starts charting his own path and style
VATICAN CITY — Six months into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV is steadily adapting to his role, demonstrating a blend of continuity with his predecessor, Pope Francis, and a willingness to carve out his own path. During a historic visit to the Vatican last month, King Charles III remarked on the omnipresent television cameras, to which Leo responded with a casual, “You get used to it.” This offhand comment underscores the pontiff’s growing comfort in his position, according to Vatican observers.
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France mourns its stolen crown jewels as their uncomfortable colonial past returns to view
The recent theft of crown jewels from the Louvre in Paris has not only triggered a high-profile police investigation but also reignited a contentious debate about the origins of museum artifacts and the ethics of colonial-era acquisitions. While the stolen jewels were crafted in France, their gemstones trace back to former colonies, including Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India, Brazil, the Persian Gulf, and Colombia. This revelation has prompted calls for greater transparency from the Louvre and other European museums about the provenance of their collections. Experts argue that the heist presents an opportunity to confront the uncomfortable histories tied to these treasures and to push for restitution. The stolen items, including tiaras, necklaces, and brooches, once belonged to 19th-century French royalty, but their raw materials were sourced through imperial networks that exploited global labor and resources. Critics emphasize that while the theft is criminal, the colonial context of these jewels complicates the narrative of loss. The case parallels other high-profile restitution battles, such as India’s claim over the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which is currently held by the British Crown. France has taken limited steps toward restitution, returning some artifacts to Benin and Senegal, but critics argue that legal and institutional barriers hinder broader action. The Louvre, meanwhile, has been accused of narrowly defining what constitutes “looted” artifacts and demanding excessive proof for restitution claims. Scholars and activists advocate for museums to adopt a decolonized approach, providing honest accounts of how artifacts were acquired and acknowledging the exploitation involved. The Louvre heist, they say, could catalyze a broader reckoning with colonial legacies in Western museums.
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Typhoon Kalmaegi kills 5 people in Vietnam as the Philippines prepares for a new storm
Typhoon Kalmaegi wreaked havoc across Vietnam and the Philippines, claiming lives and causing extensive damage in its path. The storm, which had already battered the Philippines earlier in the week, struck Vietnam on Friday with fierce winds and torrential rains, resulting in at least five fatalities and widespread destruction. Three deaths occurred in Dak Lak province, while two were reported in Gia Lai. Three individuals remain missing in Quang Ngai, and six others sustained injuries. The storm caused 52 houses to collapse and damaged nearly 2,600 more, with over 2,400 homes in Gia Lai alone losing their roofs. Power outages affected more than 1.6 million households. In the Philippines, where Kalmaegi had previously made landfall, the death toll rose to 188, with 135 still missing. Over half a million people were displaced, and nearly 450,000 sought refuge in shelters. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national emergency as the country prepared for another impending storm, Typhoon Fung-wong. In Vietnam, recovery efforts are underway as residents and authorities clear debris and repair damaged infrastructure. The storm’s impact was exacerbated by recent record-breaking floods in the central region, which had already displaced over 537,000 people. Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying storms and rainfall in Southeast Asia, making such disasters increasingly frequent and destructive.
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What a reporter found when she investigated US military strikes on Venezuelan drug boats
In the aftermath of recent U.S. military strikes targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats off Venezuela’s northeastern coast, Regina Garcia Cano, a reporter for The Associated Press, embarked on a mission to uncover the identities and stories of the men killed. Her investigation, conducted through dozens of interviews in local villages, revealed a stark contrast between the U.S. government’s portrayal of the victims as narco-terrorists and the reality of their lives. Most of the nine men identified were first-time or occasional crew members, earning modest sums for their work. Among the dead were a fisherman, a struggling bus driver, a former military cadet, and a local crime boss, alongside laborers and a motorcycle driver. Garcia Cano’s reporting highlighted the pervasive fear among residents, many of whom were reluctant to speak due to potential repercussions from the Venezuelan government. The region’s stifling poverty, crumbling infrastructure, and the government’s refusal to confirm the deaths have left families unable to properly mourn their loved ones. This story sheds light on the human toll of geopolitical conflicts and the challenges of reporting in repressive environments.
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Trump has accused boat crews of being narco-terrorists. The truth, AP found, is more nuanced
In the coastal towns of Venezuela, the U.S. military’s recent crackdown on alleged drug smuggling has left a trail of devastation, claiming the lives of over 60 individuals since early September. Among the dead are a struggling fisherman, a career criminal, a former military cadet, and a bus driver facing financial ruin. These men, hailing from the impoverished Paria Peninsula, were drawn into the dangerous world of drug trafficking by economic desperation.
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China commissions new aircraft carrier as it seeks to extend power far from its coast
China has officially commissioned its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, marking a significant milestone in its naval modernization efforts. The ceremony, held in Sanya on Hainan Island, was attended by President Xi Jinping, underscoring the strategic importance of the vessel. The Fujian is China’s first domestically designed and built aircraft carrier, representing a leap forward in its military capabilities. Equipped with an electromagnetic launch system, the Fujian can deploy advanced aircraft, including the J-35 stealth fighter and KJ-600 early warning plane, enhancing its operational range and versatility. This development aligns with China’s broader goal of transforming its navy into a “blue-water” force capable of projecting power far beyond its coastal waters. Experts suggest that the Fujian could play a pivotal role in China’s ambitions to contest control over the Second Island Chain in the Pacific, including areas near Guam. While China’s naval expansion is seen as a challenge to U.S. dominance, it still lags behind in key areas such as nuclear-powered carriers and overseas base networks. Nevertheless, the Fujian symbolizes China’s growing military prowess and its intent to reshape the international order.
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The Parthenon in Athens briefly shed its scaffolding. Here’s a look at its restoration
For the first time in years, the iconic Parthenon stood free of scaffolding, offering residents and visitors in Athens an unobstructed view of the ancient marble temple atop the Acropolis. This rare sight, lasting roughly four weeks, was a testament to the ongoing restoration efforts that have spanned decades. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni described the scene as “breathtaking,” likening the gleaming temple to its appearance nearly 2,500 years ago. However, the scaffolding returned in late September, albeit in a lighter and less intrusive form, to continue fine-tuning work on the western façade. The Parthenon has been under restoration since 1975, a process that has already taken more than three times longer than its original construction. The project involves 161 highly specialized professionals, including engineers, archaeologists, and marble craftsmen, who meticulously work to stabilize and preserve the temple. The restoration includes replacing rusted iron clamps with titanium fasteners and reassembling over 1,500 marble blocks like pieces of a colossal puzzle. The Parthenon, built between 447 and 432 BC, remains a symbol of Greece’s Golden Age, showcasing the unmatched skill of its ancient builders. With 4.5 million visitors in 2024, the Acropolis is Greece’s most-visited site, and the current restoration phase is expected to conclude in 2026, marking a significant milestone in preserving this architectural marvel.
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Outside powers’ reported backing for Sudan’s warring sides helps fuel fighting as atrocities mount
For over two years, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating civil war between its military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with both sides accused of committing atrocities and exacerbating a humanitarian crisis. The conflict, which began in 2023, has claimed at least 40,000 lives, though aid groups estimate the toll to be significantly higher. The war has also triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with widespread starvation and displacement.
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‘Stenography’: BBC report inside Gaza rekindles criticism over genocide coverage
The BBC’s recent report from Gaza has ignited a firestorm of criticism across social media and among journalists, with accusations of biased framing and restricted access dominating the discourse. The article, titled ‘Inside Gaza, BBC sees total devastation after two years of war,’ featured Middle East correspondent Lucy Williamson, who was granted limited access to the enclave under the supervision of the Israeli military. The report acknowledged that the visit was tightly controlled, with no interaction allowed with Palestinians or access to other parts of Gaza. It also revealed that the Israeli military reviewed the material before publication, though the BBC maintained editorial control throughout. Critics argue that the report’s framing of the conflict as the ‘Gaza War’ rather than a genocide, as recognized by the United Nations, reflects a pro-Israel bias. The UN has documented over 70,000 Palestinian deaths in the ongoing assault. Journalist Richard Sanders led the charge with a scathing critique on X, highlighting the report’s reliance on unchallenged ‘Israel says’ statements and its failure to address the systematic destruction of Gaza. Other media analysts echoed these concerns, pointing to a broader issue in Western media’s coverage of the conflict. Social media users further condemned the BBC for its handling of a leaked video showing the rape of a Palestinian boy in an Israeli prison, accusing the outlet of sanitizing the story by focusing on the video leak rather than the crime itself. The Centre for Media Monitoring compared the BBC’s headline to that of Middle East Eye, which explicitly named the ‘Palestinian prisoner rape scandal,’ highlighting the BBC’s erasure of context. UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese and British actor John Cleese also joined the chorus of criticism, with Cleese stating he no longer trusts BBC News. The backlash underscores growing frustration with the BBC’s perceived complicity in distorting the realities of the Gaza conflict.