分类： society

In a devastating incident, five German climbers lost their lives after being struck by an avalanche in South Tyrol, northern Italy, as confirmed by rescue officials on Sunday. The tragedy unfolded on Saturday afternoon near the Cima Vertana peak in the Ortles mountains, at an elevation exceeding 3,500 meters (11,500 feet). Three victims—two men and a woman—were recovered lifeless on the same day, while the bodies of a man and his 17-year-old daughter were discovered on Sunday morning. According to Federico Catania, a spokesperson for the Alpine rescue team, the victims were swept to the lower section of the gully where the avalanche occurred. Rescue operations were further complicated by deteriorating weather conditions at higher altitudes. The climbers, divided into three independent groups, were ascending the mountain at an unusually late hour, raising questions about their timing. Two survivors were airlifted to a hospital in Bolzano. South Tyrol, renowned for its mountaineering appeal, particularly among German tourists, has witnessed numerous avalanche-related fatalities over the years. The Ortles region, home to the area’s highest peak at 3,905 meters, is a hotspot for such accidents. Experts attribute the rising number of incidents to increased backcountry exploration following fresh snowfall.

In a significant development in the Louvre jewels heist case, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed on Sunday that two of the suspects had previously been convicted together in a theft case a decade ago. Three of the four alleged members of the heist team are now in custody. The DNA of a 37-year-old man, charged on Saturday, was discovered inside the basket lift used to access the museum’s window. He faces preliminary charges of theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy, with a criminal record showing 11 prior convictions, 10 of which were for theft. Similarly, a 39-year-old suspect, charged on Wednesday, has a record of 15 convictions, including two for theft. Beccuau noted that both individuals were involved in the same 2015 theft case in Paris. A 34-year-old man, suspected of being part of the “commando” team, was also charged this week. Additionally, a 38-year-old woman, the longtime partner of the 37-year-old suspect, was charged with complicity. Beccuau highlighted a certain “closeness” among all suspects. While all four are in custody, Beccuau declined to comment on the progress of recovering the stolen jewels. She emphasized that investigators are exploring all possibilities, including the parallel market for selling the jewelry, which could be used for money laundering or trade. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed optimism about the investigation but acknowledged that recovering the loot might take time. He also noted that at least one perpetrator remains at large, along with those who may have ordered the crime.

WARSAW, Poland — On Saturday, Poland observed All Saints’ Day, a deeply cherished Catholic holiday celebrated annually on November 1. The nation paused its daily routines as families gathered to honor their deceased loved ones, transforming cemeteries into vibrant yet solemn spaces of remembrance. Weeks before the event, supermarkets stocked up on candles, while street vendors near cemetery entrances sold chrysanthemums and traditional snacks like ‘obwazanki,’ a type of pretzel. Special bus routes were introduced in cities across the country, directing passengers to major cemeteries. Many urban residents traveled to suburban or rural areas to join their families in visiting ancestral graves. Police deployed special patrols, humorously dubbed ‘Operation Candle,’ to ensure road safety during the holiday. As dusk fell, the graves, illuminated by white and red candles and adorned with colorful flowers, created a poignant scene against the backdrop of autumn leaves, offering warmth and solace on this reflective day.

A mass stabbing attack on a London-bound train in eastern England has left ten people hospitalized, nine of whom are in critical condition, according to British police. The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, caused widespread panic and chaos as bloodied passengers evacuated the train during an emergency stop in Huntingdon. Two suspects were apprehended at the scene, but their identities and motives remain undisclosed. Counterterrorism units have been called in to assist with the investigation, although the initial declaration of a potential ‘marauding terror attack’ was later rescinded. The attack took place on a long-distance train traveling from Doncaster to London’s King’s Cross station. Witnesses described scenes of terror, with passengers shouting warnings and fleeing for safety. Emergency services, including armed police and air ambulances, responded swiftly, and the situation was contained shortly after the train arrived at Huntingdon station. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his condolences, calling the incident ‘appalling,’ while local officials described the scenes as ‘horrendous.’ The London North Eastern Railway (LNER) confirmed the incident and warned of significant disruptions on the route until Monday.

Bella Culley, a 19-year-old British teenager, is currently awaiting sentencing in Georgia’s Rustavi Prison Number Five, charged with drug smuggling. Eight months pregnant, Culley has endured harsh conditions since her arrest in May, when authorities discovered 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish in her luggage at Tbilisi International Airport. Her family has raised £137,000 to reduce her sentence, which could now be as short as two years. Recently transferred to a ‘mother and baby’ unit, Culley’s living conditions have improved significantly, allowing her more freedom and better facilities. Her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, shared with the BBC that Culley now has access to a communal kitchen, a proper toilet, and two hours of daily outdoor time. Culley has been learning Georgian and cooking meals for herself and other inmates. The case has highlighted Georgia’s strict drug laws and the prevalence of plea bargaining, with nearly 90% of drug-related cases resolved this way in 2024. Culley’s lawyer, Malkhaz Salakaia, claims she was coerced into carrying the drugs by gangsters who tortured her. Georgian law includes provisions for pregnant women, raising hopes for her release before giving birth. The family remains hopeful, with Kennedy stating they are doing everything possible to bring Culley home.

In a dramatic move signaling his continued fall from grace, Prince Andrew, the disgraced younger brother of King Charles III, is being relocated from the opulent Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle to a more secluded property on the Sandringham Estate in eastern England. This internal exile underscores the monarchy’s efforts to distance itself from the controversies surrounding Andrew, particularly his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite maintaining his innocence regarding allegations of misconduct during his friendship with Epstein, including claims by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Andrew’s public image remains deeply tarnished. His eviction from Royal Lodge, where he has resided for over two decades, marks a significant step in King Charles’s reign to protect the royal family’s reputation. While Andrew’s new residence at Sandringham, a private estate owned by the royal family since 1862, ensures he won’t burden British taxpayers, it also symbolizes his diminished role within the monarchy. The move, expected to occur after the Christmas festivities, will see Andrew settling in one of the estate’s smaller properties, far from the grandeur of his former home. This relocation not only isolates him from public scrutiny but also reflects the royal family’s broader strategy to mitigate the fallout from his scandals.