In the aftermath of a religious festival, the small Ethiopian town of Arerti was plunged into mourning as mass funerals were held for 36 victims who perished in a tragic scaffolding collapse at the St Mariam Church. The incident occurred during the annual Orthodox Christian celebration of St Mariam, where worshippers had gathered in the still-under-construction church. Eyewitnesses reported that a significant number of people climbed onto the makeshift wooden scaffolding to view a newly painted mural on the church ceiling, leading to the structure’s collapse. Among the victims was the mother of 22-year-old Fikre Tilahun, who expressed his profound grief, stating, ‘It’s difficult to lose your mother, very difficult.’ The disaster left about 200 people injured, with some in critical condition being transferred to Addis Ababa for treatment. The local archbishop, Megabi Hadis Nekatibeb, described the event as ‘incredibly tragic and heart-breaking.’ The Ethiopian government extended its condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized the importance of safety in construction projects. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of poorly enforced health and safety regulations in Ethiopia, where construction disasters are unfortunately common.
分类： society
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Morocco’s youth-led protests demand better schools and hospitals, prime minister resignation
For the sixth consecutive night, youth-led demonstrations swept across Morocco, with protesters demanding improved public services and the resignation of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. The unrest, which began peacefully, turned violent on Wednesday when police fatally shot three individuals in Leqliaa, a town near Agadir. Authorities claimed the victims were attempting to seize police weapons, though witnesses have yet to corroborate this account. The protests, organized by the Gen Z 212 movement, have spread to over a dozen cities, including Casablanca, with participants decrying corruption and inadequate funding for schools and hospitals. Despite the government’s pledge to engage in dialogue, tensions remain high as demonstrators contrast the billions spent on World Cup preparations with the dire state of public infrastructure. The recent deaths of eight women in an Agadir hospital have further fueled outrage over the declining health system. As Morocco prepares to host the Africa Cup of Nations and approaches its 2026 parliamentary elections, the protests highlight deep-seated regional disparities and widespread disillusionment. Over 1,000 arrests have been reported, with human rights groups condemning the use of force. The Gen Z 212 movement has urged peaceful demonstrations, but clashes continue to erupt, particularly in underdeveloped regions. These protests echo similar unrest in countries like Nepal, Kenya, and Madagascar, underscoring a global wave of youth-led activism.
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Benidorm cracks down on display of ‘offensive’ items in shop windows
The Spanish tourist hotspot of Benidorm is intensifying efforts to regulate shops displaying lewd or offensive items in their windows, aiming to protect the city’s reputation and ensure public decorum. The initiative targets products such as joke t-shirts and souvenirs with sexual innuendos, often found in the area known as the ‘Guiri zone,’ which caters primarily to foreign tourists. Many of these items are advertised in English, reflecting the significant British visitor demographic. Javier Jordá, the city’s commerce head, emphasized the need to shield minors and vulnerable groups from inappropriate public displays, stating that certain commercial practices conflict with local regulations. Benidorm, a renowned Mediterranean resort, attracted nearly three million visitors last year, including over 830,000 British tourists. Local laws prohibit shop windows from displaying products that could offend moral sensibilities, such as ‘sexy articles,’ though items sold inside shops remain unaffected. Authorities are initially reminding shop owners to comply voluntarily, with potential fines of up to €3,000 for non-compliance. Jordá expressed hope that enforcement measures would not be necessary, stressing the importance of maintaining the city’s image. Spain welcomed a record 94 million foreign visitors last year, with Mediterranean resorts like Benidorm remaining top destinations. However, the country is increasingly shifting away from its traditional sun-and-sand tourism model amid concerns about over-tourism and local protests.
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How much time could Diddy spend in prison?
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the renowned music mogul, faces a pivotal moment as he awaits his sentencing following a high-profile criminal trial. Convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, Combs could potentially serve up to 20 years in prison. However, his legal team is vigorously advocating for a more lenient sentence, which could see him released in a matter of weeks or even acquitted. The trial, which concluded in July, saw Combs acquitted of the more severe charges of racketeering and sex trafficking but found guilty on the prostitution-related counts. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, with prosecutors pushing for a minimum of 11 years. Combs’ attorneys argue that such a sentence would be excessive, given the circumstances. The defense has portrayed Combs as a reformed individual, emphasizing his contributions to the music industry and his role as a father to seven children and caregiver to his elderly mother. They have also highlighted his time spent in jail during the trial, suggesting it should count towards his total sentence. On the other hand, prosecutors have emphasized Combs’ history of abusive behavior, including domestic violence and illegal drug use, arguing that he remains unrepentant. Victim testimonies, particularly from Cassandra Ventura, have played a significant role in the case. Ventura, who submitted a letter to the judge, expressed her fear of retaliation and the lasting impact of Combs’ abuse on her life. The sentencing hearing, set for Friday, will see both sides present their arguments, with the judge ultimately deciding the final punishment. Combs’ legal team has also challenged the use of the Mann Act, a century-old law that forms the basis for the charges against him. They argue that the sexual encounters in question were consensual and do not constitute prostitution. Prosecutors, however, have countered with testimonies from Ventura and another woman, referred to as Jane Doe, detailing coerced and physically harmful experiences. As the sentencing looms, the case continues to draw significant attention, with many questioning the future of Combs’ career and the broader implications for the music industry.
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First killings in Morocco since Gen Z protests erupted
Morocco has been engulfed in widespread unrest as youth-led protests against economic hardship and government priorities turned violent, resulting in at least two fatalities. The clashes erupted after police opened fire to prevent demonstrators from storming a police station in Lqliaa, near Agadir, according to state media. This marks the first deaths since protests began on Saturday, fueled by anger over the government’s decision to allocate resources to building football stadiums for the 2030 FIFA World Cup instead of addressing public services and the economic crisis. Protesters have been chanting slogans like, ‘Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?’ highlighting their frustration with deteriorating healthcare and living conditions. One protester from Oujda described local hospitals as ‘jails,’ citing corruption and unsanitary conditions. The unrest has spread to major cities, including Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, and Marrakech, where a police station was reportedly set ablaze. Authorities have detained 409 individuals, while over 260 police officers and 20 protesters were injured. The youth-led movement, known as GenZ 212, has distanced itself from the violence, organizing primarily through social media without formal leadership. Morocco’s unemployment rate stands at 12.8%, with youth unemployment reaching 35.8%, exacerbating tensions. The government has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue, praising security forces for their ‘balanced reaction.’ This uprising mirrors similar youth-led protests in Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Madagascar, where governments have faced significant pressure to address public discontent.
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Dublin airport rail link given the go-ahead
Ireland’s planning board, An Coimisiún Pleanála, has officially approved the ambitious MetroLink project, a groundbreaking transport initiative set to connect Dublin city centre to its airport. Scheduled to commence operations by the early 2030s, the €9.5 billion (£8.16 billion) project will span 19.4 kilometers, featuring 16 predominantly underground stations. The MetroLink aims to seamlessly link the north and south sides of Dublin, with trains operating every three minutes during peak hours, capable of transporting up to 20,000 passengers per hour in each direction. Irish Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, hailed the decision as a transformative milestone for North Dublin, the city, and the airport, emphasizing its potential to drive growth, create jobs, and support housing development. The MetroLink route will extend from Swords in the north to Charlemont Street in the south, integrating with existing DART and Luas transport systems. Ryan expressed confidence in delivering the project on time and within budget, noting that the €9.5 billion cost estimate was ‘excessively cautious and conservative.’ Dublin Airport’s operator, DAA, praised the MetroLink as a ‘key element’ in the airport’s expansion beyond 40 million passengers annually, highlighting its role in bolstering tourism, foreign investment, trade, and job creation. While the project has received planning approval, it awaits final Cabinet endorsement before construction can begin. The construction phase is expected to span several years, with the ultimate costs yet to be determined.
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‘Area of interest’ found in search for girl who vanished 55 years ago
In a significant development in one of Australia’s most haunting cold cases, a volunteer search team using cadaver detection dogs has identified an ‘area of interest’ in the search for Cheryl Grimmer, a British child who vanished over five decades ago. The discovery, reported to New South Wales Police, could potentially provide closure to a family that has endured decades of unanswered questions and heartache. Cheryl, just three years old at the time, disappeared from Fairy Meadow beach in Wollongong in January 1970, shortly after her family emigrated from Bristol. Authorities have long suspected she was abducted. The search team, led by Chris D’Arcy of Search Dogs Sydney, believes the dogs’ behavioral changes indicate a possible breakthrough. ‘We believe we have located an area of interest and will pass the information on to the authorities,’ D’Arcy stated. The case has been marred by legal complexities, including a disallowed confession from a teenage boy in 1971 and a collapsed trial in 2019 involving a suspect known only as ‘Mercury.’ Cheryl’s brother, Ricki Nash, who was seven when she vanished, expressed mixed emotions about the search. ‘This should have been done 55 years ago,’ he lamented, questioning why the area had never been thoroughly investigated despite the detailed confession. Nash, along with his daughter Melanie Grimmer, has spent a lifetime hoping for answers, though the prospect of finding Cheryl’s remains is bittersweet. ‘We always lived with the hope that someone took her and raised her well,’ Nash said. ‘To be here looking for a body or part thereof is not a good thing.’ The search continues, with the family and investigators clinging to the slim hope of uncovering the truth after more than half a century.
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‘No signs of life’ for dozens missing in Indonesia school collapse
In a grim turn of events, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (BNBP) has announced the transition to heavy machinery in the ongoing rescue mission at the site of a collapsed Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo. The two-storey building, which was under construction with additional floors being added, crumbled on Monday, trapping hundreds of students, predominantly teenage boys, beneath its wreckage. So far, the tragedy has claimed the lives of at least five students, left approximately 100 injured, and left 59 individuals unaccounted for. Despite initial hopes, thermal drone scans conducted on Thursday revealed no signs of life beneath the rubble. Rescue efforts have been severely hampered by the unstable structure of the building, which collapsed due to an overburdened foundation. BNBP head Lt Gen Suharyanto stated that the team had cleared the area for silence in a desperate attempt to detect any signs of life but found none. The next phase of operations will involve using cranes and cutting equipment to remove concrete slabs, a risky move previously avoided due to fears of further collapse. The school’s management had reportedly failed to secure the necessary permits for the additional floors, raising questions about regulatory oversight. As anxious relatives continue to camp outside the site, authorities grapple with fluctuating casualty figures, a common challenge in the chaotic aftermath of such disasters.
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In pictures: Celebrations across India as devotees mark Dussehra festival
Millions across India are immersed in the vibrant celebrations of Dussehra, one of Hinduism’s most significant festivals, symbolizing the eternal victory of good over evil. This festival, observed on the tenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, commemorates Lord Ram’s triumph over the ten-headed demon king Ravan. The festivities are preceded by Navratri, a nine-night period dedicated to worshipping the Hindu goddess Durga in her various forms.
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Relief and new baby for asylum family of child suffocated in Channel crossing
The Alhashemi family’s story is one of resilience, loss, and eventual hope. For 15 years, this Iraqi family has navigated the harsh realities of life as asylum seekers in Europe, enduring legal limbo, deportation threats, and unimaginable grief. Their journey took a tragic turn in April 2024 when their seven-year-old daughter, Sara, died during a perilous attempt to cross the English Channel in a small boat. This devastating event marked a low point in their struggle for safety and stability. However, a year later, a life-changing email from a French refugee agency brought a glimmer of hope, granting them provisional asylum and a chance to rebuild their lives in France. Ahmed and Nour Alhashemi, who fled Iraq due to threats linked to Saddam Hussein’s regime, met in Belgium and raised three children while battling bureaucratic hurdles and constant uncertainty. After Sara’s death, the family applied for asylum in France, where they faced further challenges but eventually secured housing and support. In July 2025, they received official permission to stay in France for four years, with the possibility of permanent residency. The family’s newfound stability was further brightened by the birth of their baby girl, Sally, named in memory of Sara. Ahmed, a tiler, now dreams of starting his own business, while Nour envisions opening a bakery. Their eldest daughter, Rahaf, reflects on the security she feels for the first time in her life. Despite past criticism for their choices, the Alhashemis have finally found a safe place to call home, offering a poignant reminder of the resilience of refugees and the importance of compassion in immigration systems.