A distressing incident involving football fans in Dublin has drawn widespread condemnation after two tourists were reportedly assaulted. Carly Clarke, a photographer from Eastbourne, and Stephen Lovell-Davis, a 70-year-old photographer from London, were in Dublin for a photography exhibition when they encountered a group of FC Schalke 04 supporters parading through the city center. The event took a violent turn when one fan attempted to grab Clarke’s camera, leading to a physical altercation. Lovell-Davis intervened but was pushed to the ground and repeatedly kicked in the head. The incident occurred on Abbey Street on Saturday, October 11, as approximately 2,000 Schalke fans traveled to Dublin for a friendly match against Bohemians, which ended in a 3-2 loss for the German club. FC Schalke 04 released a statement condemning the actions of some of its supporters, describing the incidents as ‘completely unjustifiable’ and vowing to investigate rigorously. The club emphasized that such behavior ‘overshadowed’ what was intended to be a positive trip and expressed sympathy for the victims. Lovell-Davis, who sustained bruises and cuts, described the attack as ‘disappointing’ but noted that it was the actions of a ‘small minority.’ He also thanked three Irish women who assisted him after the assault. Both tourists have since returned to England, and the Irish police, An Garda Síochána, are investigating the alleged assault. The club has initiated an internal review and pledged to take appropriate action against those responsible.
分类： society
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Trial against famous ex-Jesuit artist, accused of abusing women, to start with judges named
In a significant move, the Vatican announced on Monday the appointment of a panel of judges to adjudicate the case of former Jesuit artist Marko Ivan Rupnik, who stands accused of sexual, spiritual, and psychological abuse of women. This decision marks a pivotal moment in a scandal that has cast a shadow over Pope Francis’s legacy, amid allegations that the Vatican’s handling of the case lacked transparency and independence. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, responsible for overseeing clergy abuse cases, revealed that the five-member judicial panel includes both women and priests external to the Vatican bureaucracy, emphasizing the need for autonomy and impartiality in the proceedings. This development follows years of controversy surrounding Rupnik, whose mosaics adorn some of the Catholic Church’s most revered sites worldwide. The scandal first came to light in late 2022 when Italian blogs published allegations from nuns and adult women who claimed to have been abused by Rupnik during his artistic endeavors. Despite initial reluctance to prosecute due to the age of the claims, the Vatican eventually waived the statute of limitations under public pressure, paving the way for a canonical trial. Rupnik, who was briefly excommunicated in 2020 for exploiting the confessional, has consistently denied the allegations and refused to cooperate with Jesuit authorities. His supporters have decried the media coverage as a ‘lynching,’ while the Vatican’s latest action signals a renewed commitment to addressing the case with due process.
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Why were Israeli flags erected along Hastings’ seafront?
Residents of Hastings, a coastal town in southern England, were met with an unsettling sight on the morning of October 7: a nearly mile-long stretch of Israeli flags lining the seafront from Hastings Pier to the Marina near the town’s mosque. The display, which appeared on the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks in southern Israel, sparked immediate outrage and swift action from the community. The flags, which were hung overnight without authorization, were removed by local residents before authorities could intervene. The act was widely perceived as a deliberate provocation, given the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the town’s history of sanctuary and community solidarity. CCTV footage captured a figure stringing the flags between lampposts in the early hours of the morning. By sunrise, the display had become a focal point of heated discussion, with residents flooding local councillors with messages demanding answers. Councillor Yunis Smith of the Hastings Green Party confirmed that the flags were removed by residents themselves, reflecting a deep-seated frustration within the town. The incident has reignited debates about the use of public spaces for political messaging and the broader implications of rising nationalism in the UK. Hastings, known for its interfaith coalitions and refugee support networks, has long prided itself on being a sanctuary town. The community’s swift response to the flag display underscores its commitment to unity and resistance against divisive tactics. Sussex Friends of Israel later claimed responsibility for the stunt, but many residents viewed it as an attempt to exploit the Gaza crisis for political gain. The incident has further galvanized the town’s resolve to maintain its identity as a place of peace and inclusivity.
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Man jailed for attacking tram during Dublin riots
A 20-year-old man, Evan Moore, has been sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the November 2023 Dublin riots, during which he vandalized and set fire to a Luas tram. Moore, from Grangemore Road in Donaghmede, Dublin, shattered the tram’s windows and brought a burning bin onboard, causing extensive damage estimated at €5 million (£4.34 million). The incident forced the suspension of tram services for 24 hours. Moore, who was 18 at the time, ignored a text from his mother urging him to leave the city center before the situation escalated. Six months later, he was identified by gardaí (Irish police) during an anti-immigration protest and admitted to his involvement in the riots. Footage showed him carrying the burning bin onto the tram. Moore, who has no prior convictions, was described by his defense as coming from a respectable family but having brought ‘shame’ upon them. He is currently attending school in prison and has a college placement as an electrician upon release. The riots erupted hours after a stabbing incident near a primary school left a woman and three children injured. During the unrest, rioters set off flares, looted shops, and attacked police. Judge Orla Crowe emphasized the severity of the riots, calling them the most serious incident in Dublin in years. She noted Moore’s remorse, his guilty plea, and his participation in an anti-racism course, ultimately sentencing him to four years with the last 12 months suspended.
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Rescuers search for missing in Mexico’s flooded towns
Mexico is grappling with catastrophic flooding as torrential rains, fueled by two tropical storms, have wreaked havoc across five states. The disaster has left at least 47 people dead and 38 missing, according to official reports released on Sunday. Rescue teams, supported by military personnel, are working tirelessly to locate survivors and assist in recovery efforts. Over 150 locations have been affected, with landslides and overflowing rivers destroying homes, roads, and vehicles. President Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged government assistance to rebuild devastated communities. In Huauchinango, Puebla state, María Salas, 49, tragically lost five family members when their home collapsed. Her own residence was swept away by a landslide, leaving her with nothing. The town remains one of the few accessible areas within the disaster zone. Sheinbaum visited a local shelter, promising aid to those whose homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. Meanwhile, approximately 100 small communities remain isolated due to damaged power and communication lines. The situation underscores the urgent need for coordinated disaster response and long-term infrastructure resilience.
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S. Korea sees rise in school violence
South Korea is facing an unprecedented rise in school violence, with the highest reported victimization rates since the government began tracking the issue in 2013. According to a recent survey by the Ministry of Education, 2.5% of students reported experiencing violence during the first half of 2025, marking a significant increase from 2.1% in the previous year. Elementary school students are the most affected, with a staggering 5% victimization rate, followed by middle school students at 2.1% and high school students at 0.7%. The survey, which included nearly 4 million students from fourth grade through high school, revealed that verbal abuse remains the most common form of violence, accounting for 39% of cases. However, group bullying, physical assault, and cyberbullying have also seen notable increases, with cyberbullying rising to 7.8% of cases. Sexual violence has also reached a record high, with 6% of respondents reporting incidents of harassment or assault. Alarmingly, 422 teenagers were arrested for deepfake sexual crimes in the first half of 2025 alone, representing nearly 60% of all such arrests. Despite the rise in self-reported victimization, official case filings have decreased, suggesting a disconnect between reported experiences and formal complaints. The Ministry of Education has pledged to implement preventive measures, including a ‘relationship restoration deliberation system’ to mediate minor cases and restore trust within school communities. ‘Rebuilding students’ social and emotional wellbeing is an urgent task,’ emphasized Lee Hae-sook, director of the ministry’s student health policy department. The ministry also plans to collaborate with other government agencies to address the growing complexity of cyberbullying and sexual violence.
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Fast trains collide in Slovakia, injuring dozens, with 2 in critical condition
A severe train collision occurred in eastern Slovakia on Monday, resulting in injuries to dozens of passengers, two of whom are in critical condition, according to officials. The incident took place near Rožňava shortly after 10 a.m. local time (0800 GMT), as reported by Slovak Railways. Approximately 80 passengers were on board at the time of the crash, though further details were not immediately available. Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok confirmed that two individuals sustained critical injuries, while the remaining injuries were less severe. Visuals from the scene depicted significant damage to the front of one train engine, with the other train derailed. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, with Šutaj Eštok hinting that human error could be a contributing factor.
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Forty-two killed as bus crashes on South Africa mountain pass
A devastating bus accident on South Africa’s N1 highway has resulted in the deaths of 42 individuals, including seven children. The incident occurred on Sunday night in Limpopo province, as the bus, carrying Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals, traversed a mountainous section of the highway. According to local transport officials, the bus veered off the road along a steep mountain pass and plunged down an embankment. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy, emphasizing that the loss is not only a national calamity but also a profound sorrow for Zimbabwe and Malawi, countries with close ties to South Africa. The accident has sparked widespread mourning and calls for enhanced road safety measures in the region. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, with preliminary reports suggesting challenging road conditions may have played a role. This incident underscores the urgent need for improved infrastructure and safety protocols on South Africa’s highways to prevent future tragedies.
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Juncao tech transforms many lives in Rwanda
In Rwanda, Juncao technology, a Chinese innovation, is revolutionizing agriculture and transforming lives. Suzanne Nikuze, a resident of Kigali’s Gasabo district, exemplifies this transformation. What began as a backyard experiment has blossomed into a thriving agribusiness that empowers local farmers, particularly women, and promotes sustainable practices. After receiving training at the China-Rwanda Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center in 2018, Nikuze established an enterprise to teach mushroom cultivation, a lucrative and eco-friendly venture in East Africa. Her initiative has trained over 400 young people, with 80% of her employees being women, fostering self-reliance and economic independence. Juncao, a specially cultivated grass used to grow edible and medicinal mushrooms, offers a sustainable alternative to traditional wood-based methods. This fast-growing, cost-effective, and nutrient-rich grass has not only boosted agricultural yields but also reduced deforestation pressures. Since its introduction in 2006 through a bilateral agreement under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Juncao technology has expanded nationwide, benefiting over 40,000 Rwandan farmers. The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, in collaboration with Chinese experts, has introduced 12 mushroom species and established training programs, including initiatives for primary school students. Beyond agriculture, Juncao is being repurposed to produce green charcoal, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional firewood, further supporting Rwanda’s sustainability goals. This innovative technology is a testament to the power of international collaboration in addressing poverty, promoting environmental conservation, and empowering communities.
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Bus crash in mountainous region of South Africa kills at least 42 people
A devastating bus accident in northern South Africa has resulted in the deaths of at least 42 people, with 49 others sustaining injuries, according to authorities. The incident occurred on Sunday evening around 6 p.m. on the N1 highway near Louis Trichardt, approximately 400 kilometers north of Pretoria. The bus, which was en route to Zimbabwe, veered off the road and plunged down a steep embankment. Among the victims were seven children, 17 men, and 18 women. Six individuals are in critical condition, while 31 others have serious injuries and have been transported to various hospitals. A critically injured child was airlifted for urgent medical care. Rescue operations continued late into the night, with images showing the blue bus overturned and rescuers working diligently to locate victims. The bus was carrying Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals returning to their home countries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences, noting the tragedy occurred during the country’s annual transport month, which emphasizes road safety. This incident follows a similar bus crash in Limpopo province last year, which claimed 45 lives. The AP Africa news team reported the details from Cape Town.