French military personnel have boarded the oil tanker Boracay, suspected to be part of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ used to circumvent international sanctions imposed due to the Ukraine conflict. The vessel, which departed Russia last month, was anchored off the western coast of France after being involved in a series of drone-related disruptions near Denmark last week. President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at an EU leaders’ summit in Copenhagen, accused the crew of committing ‘serious offences’ but provided no further details. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any knowledge of the vessel. French prosecutors in Brest have launched an investigation into the ship for refusing to stop and failing to justify its flag nationality. The Boracay, also known as Pushpa and Kiwala, is registered under Benin but is subject to UK and EU sanctions. It was previously detained by Estonian authorities for sailing without a valid flag. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and Western nations, particularly in the context of energy sanctions and hybrid warfare tactics. EU leaders are under pressure to enhance European defense capabilities following a series of Russian incursions into EU airspace, including drone attacks on Danish airports. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized the need for a robust response to these threats, linking the drone disruptions to broader Russian hybrid warfare strategies. The EU is considering a multi-layered ‘drone wall’ to detect and neutralize such threats, particularly in Eastern European countries like Poland and Estonia.
分类： world
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Germany arrests suspected Hamas members over alleged attack plot
German authorities have apprehended three individuals suspected of planning terrorist attacks on Israeli and Jewish institutions within Germany. The suspects, identified as Abed Al G, Wael F M, and Ahmad I, include two German citizens and one Lebanese-born individual. According to Germany’s federal prosecutor’s office, the trio had allegedly been procuring firearms and ammunition since the summer, intending to carry out the attacks. The arrests took place in Berlin on Tuesday, just one day before Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar. During the operation, law enforcement seized an AK-47 assault rifle, several pistols, and a substantial quantity of ammunition. The weapons were reportedly intended for use by Hamas, the Palestinian armed group that controls Gaza and is designated as a terrorist organization by the EU. German media revealed that the suspects were arrested during a weapons handover in the capital. Concurrent police searches were conducted in Leipzig and Oberhausen. The suspects face charges of preparing a serious act of violence threatening the German state and membership in a foreign terrorist organization. They are scheduled to appear before a federal judge on Thursday. This development follows the February trial of four Hamas members in Berlin, who were accused of plotting similar attacks on Jewish sites across Europe.
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Pope Leo condemns climate change critics
In a powerful address at the Raising Hope climate conference near Rome, Pope Leo XIV delivered his first major statement on climate change, condemning those who downplay the ‘increasingly evident’ impacts of global warming. Echoing the sentiments of his predecessor, Pope Francis, the new Pontiff criticized individuals who ‘ridicule those who speak of global warming,’ a remark widely interpreted as a veiled critique of U.S. President Donald Trump. The President recently dismissed climate change as a ‘con’ and labeled renewable energy efforts as misguided. Speaking at Castel Gondolfo, Pope Leo emphasized the urgent need for global citizens to take decisive action, warning against indifference and resignation. His speech marked the 10th anniversary of the publication of *Laudato Si’*, a landmark document by Pope Francis that positioned climate change as a central concern for the Catholic Church. The Pope expressed concern that climate change has become a divisive issue, with some mocking its undeniable signs and even blaming the poor for its consequences. He urged citizens to pressure politicians into prioritizing environmental action, stating that only through active engagement can the damage to the planet be mitigated. The conference, held ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, also featured former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who praised the Pope as a real-world ‘action hero’ for his commitment to installing solar panels on Vatican buildings. Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva extended an invitation to Pope Leo to attend COP30, expressing confidence that his presence would ensure the summit’s success. The Pope’s remarks underscored the moral imperative of addressing climate change, reminding the audience that future generations will judge humanity’s stewardship of the Earth.
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British man, 23, faces drug charges in Thailand
Thai authorities have apprehended a 23-year-old British man, George Wilson from Buckinghamshire, on charges of drug smuggling in Bangkok. The arrest took place at a hotel in the Sukhumvit area, where police discovered 9.1 kilograms (20 pounds) of crystal methamphetamine concealed in foil bags labeled as tea. The Metropolitan Police Bureau has confirmed that charges are being filed against Wilson for the possession and intended commercial sale of Category I controlled narcotics, specifically methamphetamine. The investigation was initiated following a tip-off about a planned narcotics handover involving foreign nationals at the hotel. Wilson has denied any knowledge of the suitcase’s contents in video footage captured during the arrest. The UK Foreign Office has acknowledged the incident, stating that it is in contact with Thai authorities. Thailand enforces stringent drug laws, with even minor possession offenses potentially resulting in severe penalties, including hefty fines and imprisonment. The case has drawn significant attention, with Thai police sharing images of the arrest on social media platforms.
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UN approves larger force to combat Haiti gang violence
The United Nations Security Council has greenlit a significant expansion of international security forces in Haiti to address the escalating gang violence that has ravaged the Caribbean nation. The newly established ‘Gang Suppression Force’ (GSF) will comprise up to 5,550 police and military personnel, equipped with the authority to detain suspected gang members. This move aims to bolster the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission (MSS), which, despite its initial mandate for 2,500 members, has struggled with insufficient numbers and resources since its deployment in 2023. The MSS has been largely ineffective in curbing the violence, which claimed over 5,500 lives in 2024 alone. Armed gangs now control approximately 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, exacerbating the country’s ongoing economic and political crises following the assassination of its president in 2021. The UN Security Council adopted a US-proposed resolution on Tuesday to establish the GSF, which will collaborate with Haitian authorities to enhance security and facilitate humanitarian access. The current MSS force, numbering fewer than 1,000 officers, has been overwhelmed by the well-armed gangs. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz emphasized that the expanded mission, five times the size of its predecessor, is crucial to restoring stability. The resolution also includes the creation of a UN support office in Haiti to provide logistical and operational assistance. Haiti’s UN representative, Ericq Pierre, hailed the decision as a pivotal moment in the nation’s struggle against one of its most severe challenges. The GSF’s deployment timeline and contributing countries remain unclear, but the move comes as nearly 1.3 million Haitians have been internally displaced due to rampant violence. Gangs continue to expand their territories, committing human rights violations such as child exploitation, murder, and trafficking.
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Sudanese city under siege: ‘My son’s whole body is full of shrapnel’
The city of el-Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region has become the epicenter of a brutal conflict as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) tighten their grip on the area. For 17 months, the RSF has besieged the city, which lies in their ethnic heartland, and recent weeks have seen significant advances toward key military sites. The conflict, which erupted in 2023 following a power struggle between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has left tens of thousands of civilians trapped in a living nightmare.
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State of calamity in Philippines province as earthquake kills 69
A catastrophic 6.9 magnitude earthquake rocked the central Philippines on Tuesday night, claiming at least 69 lives and injuring dozens more. The province of Cebu bore the brunt of the destruction, prompting local authorities to declare a state of calamity early Wednesday. Thousands of residents spent the night outdoors, enduring repeated aftershocks and widespread power and water outages. One Cebu resident described the harrowing scene, with the cries of traumatized children echoing through the streets. This disaster follows closely on the heels of back-to-back typhoons that struck the region just over a week ago, leaving more than a dozen dead. Bogo City, located near the earthquake’s epicenter, suffered the most casualties. Images from the area show cadaver bags lining the streets and makeshift tent hospitals treating hundreds of injured. Local officials have reported extensive damage, including buckled roads, collapsed bridges, and downed power lines, severely hampering rescue efforts. Among the victims were seven individuals from a village built for survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the region 12 years ago. In San Remigio, a basketball game was interrupted by the quake, sending nearly 20 people to the hospital, with one fatality. Emergency services are prioritizing search and rescue operations, restoring electricity, and delivering aid. A 4.7 magnitude aftershock struck Bogo on Wednesday evening, causing tremors in Cebu City and neighboring Leyte islands but no additional casualties. The Archbishop of Cebu has advised devotees to avoid churches until structural assessments are completed, highlighting the region’s rich historical heritage. The Philippines, situated on the geologically volatile ‘Ring of Fire,’ is highly susceptible to natural disasters. The national disaster agency in Manila is tasked with releasing official casualty figures, though the process is often slow due to rigorous verification. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.
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Deported from the US to Ghana then ‘dumped’ at the border: Nigerian man speaks out
A Nigerian man, deported from the United States to Ghana, has revealed to the BBC that he and five other deportees are now stranded in a hotel in Togo after being secretly transferred across the border by Ghanaian officials. The man, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, claimed they were promised better living conditions but were instead abandoned in Togo without proper documentation or support. The group, consisting of three Nigerians, a Liberian, and others, had initially been held in a military camp in Ghana under deplorable conditions. They were later told they would be moved to a hotel for improved comfort but were instead taken through a back route into Togo, allegedly after bribing local police. Togolese authorities have yet to comment on the matter. The Nigerian deportee expressed concerns about his family in the US, including financial struggles and the inability to see his children. He also revealed his affiliation with the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement, a group advocating for a breakaway state in Nigeria, which he fears could lead to his arrest and torture if he returns to his home country. The US government has not provided a reason for his deportation, which was carried out under a controversial ‘third-country deportation’ policy. Lawyers for the deportees have initiated legal action against both the US and Ghanaian governments, alleging violations of their rights. Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, previously stated that the country accepted the deportees out of ‘pan-African empathy,’ but opposition MPs have called for the suspension of the deportation agreement until it is ratified by parliament.
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Italy PM tells Gaza aid flotilla to stop or risk ‘preventing peace’
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed cautious optimism regarding a new US proposal aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas conflict, while simultaneously urging the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) to halt its mission to deliver aid to Gaza. Meloni warned that the flotilla’s attempt to break the Israeli naval blockade could disrupt the fragile peace process. The flotilla, comprising over 40 boats and 500 individuals, including Italian politicians and Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, has been accompanied by an Italian naval frigate. However, the frigate is set to withdraw once the flotilla reaches 150 nautical miles from Gaza’s shoreline. Meloni emphasized that the US plan offers a glimmer of hope but remains vulnerable to sabotage. She urged the flotilla to redirect its aid to Cyprus to avoid escalating tensions. Israel has instructed the flotilla to deliver aid to an Israeli port instead, labeling the mission as a Hamas operation without providing evidence. The flotilla, now on high alert due to increasing drone activity, has vowed to continue its mission despite warnings. Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV and Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto have expressed concerns over the safety of the flotilla, following reports of drone attacks and communications jamming. The US peace plan proposes an immediate ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages, and the exchange of detained Gazans, aiming to de-escalate the conflict.
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Anne visits Ukraine to support children ‘traumatised’ by war
In a poignant display of solidarity, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, accompanied Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, to a memorial in Kyiv dedicated to children who have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The visit, which took place on Tuesday, saw the royal leave a soft toy bear at the shrine, symbolizing a tribute to the young victims of the war. Buckingham Palace described the trip as an effort to shed light on the ‘traumatic experiences of children living on the frontline of the conflict.’