分类： world

A moderate 5.5-magnitude earthquake rattled central Bangladesh on Friday, resulting in the tragic loss of at least six lives and injuring dozens more, according to local authorities. The tremor, which occurred at 10:38 a.m., was centered in the Ghorashal area of Narsingdi district, approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles) from the capital city of Dhaka. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake’s depth at 10 kilometers (6 miles). In Dhaka, buildings swayed violently, prompting terrified residents to flee into the streets for safety. DBC Television, based in Dhaka, detailed that the fatalities included three individuals who perished due to the collapse of a building roof and a wall, and three pedestrians who were struck by falling building railings. While northern and southeastern Bangladesh are recognized as seismically active zones due to the tectonic interactions between the Indian and Eurasian plates, the central region typically experiences fewer such events. This rare quake has raised concerns about the region’s preparedness for seismic activity.

The untimely death of Simone White, a 28-year-old British traveler, has cast a somber shadow over her family and the global backpacking community. Simone, a trainee lawyer with a passion for exploring the world, tragically lost her life after consuming a methanol-laced shot at a hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, a popular destination for young adventurers. Her brother, Zak White, shared the heartbreaking details of her final journey with BBC Newsbeat. Simone had embarked on what was meant to be a life-changing trip, reuniting with her friend Bethany Clarke after months apart. However, the joy of their reunion turned to tragedy when both fell ill after consuming free drinks at the Nana Backpacker Hostel. Simone was one of six tourists who succumbed to methanol poisoning, a toxic substance often illegally mixed with alcohol to reduce costs. Despite being placed on life support, Simone could not be saved. Zak recalls the shock and disbelief that followed, as his family struggled to comprehend the loss. The incident has left a lasting impact on Zak, who now experiences anxiety and PTSD in social settings involving alcohol. The White family’s quest for justice has been met with frustration, as investigations in Laos have yielded no clear accountability. Charges have been proposed against 13 individuals for food safety violations, but these do not directly address the fatal poisoning. Reports suggest the hostel may reopen under a new name, a prospect that deeply concerns Zak, who fears for the safety of future travelers. The tragedy has also prompted criticism of the UK Foreign Office’s efforts to raise awareness about methanol poisoning. While the department has identified 27 high-risk countries and collaborated with social media influencers, Zak believes more decisive action is needed. Simone’s family continues to mourn her loss, remembering her as a kind, caring, and principled individual whose absence leaves a profound void in their lives.

Central Vietnam is facing catastrophic flooding as relentless rains have claimed at least 41 lives and left nine people missing, according to state media reports. The deluge has submerged over 52,000 homes and disrupted power for half a million households and businesses. Rainfall in some areas exceeded 1.5 meters (5 feet) over three days, surpassing the 1993 flood peak of 5.2 meters in certain regions. The coastal cities of Hoi An and Nha Trang, along with the central highlands’ coffee production belt, are among the worst-hit areas. Farmers in the highlands are already struggling with stalled harvests due to earlier storms. This year, Vietnam has been battered by extreme weather, including Typhoons Kalmaegi and Bualoi, which caused widespread destruction. Government estimates indicate that natural disasters have inflicted $2 billion in damages from January to October. Local media has published harrowing images of people stranded on rooftops as floodwaters invade their homes. A viral video shows a suspension bridge in Lam Dong province being torn from its anchors. The province has declared a state of emergency after landslides damaged major roads, including the collapse of part of the Mimosa Pass, a critical route to the tourist city of Da Lat. Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated, with military and police forces setting up emergency shelters. A restaurant owner in Nha Trang expressed concern over his submerged property, stating that the water is unlikely to recede soon. Authorities have warned of continued moderate to heavy rains through Sunday.

As the UN climate summit (COP30) unfolds in Belem, Brazil, India, the world’s third-largest carbon emitter, finds itself under intense scrutiny for its delayed submission of a crucial climate plan. Known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), these updated plans are essential for achieving the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C. While around 120 of the 196 UNFCCC member countries have submitted their updated NDCs, India remains among the holdouts, with its environment minister, Bhupender Yadav, announcing that the plan will be submitted by the end of December. India’s delay has raised eyebrows, especially as international assessments label its climate actions as ‘worryingly inadequate.’ Despite this, India has met its pledge to achieve 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources ahead of the 2030 deadline. However, coal still dominates 75% of its electricity generation, a figure that must drop significantly to align with global climate goals. India’s stance at COP30 emphasizes the need for developed nations to take greater responsibility for emissions reductions and provide substantial financial support to developing countries. Yadav argued that ‘global climate progress can’t come from endless discussions alone,’ calling for developed nations to reach net-zero emissions earlier and deliver trillions in climate finance. The issue of climate finance remains contentious, with developing nations demanding over $1 trillion annually, while developed countries have pledged only $300 billion. India’s reliance on coal and its delayed NDC submission have drawn criticism, particularly as China, its usual ally in climate negotiations, has already submitted its updated plan. As COP30 continues, the world watches to see if India’s updated climate plan will address these concerns and align with global efforts to transition away from fossil fuels.

A recent investigation by Beam Reports, a Sudanese platform dedicated to combating disinformation, has uncovered a coordinated digital campaign involving Emirati, Israeli, and far-right social media accounts. The campaign falsely alleged that Christians were being targeted and killed by Islamists in Sudan, particularly in the aftermath of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group’s seizure of el-Fasher in Darfur nearly a month ago. The report revealed that the campaign aimed to shift blame for atrocities away from the RSF, reframe Sudan’s conflict as a religious war to garner international sympathy, and flood online spaces with fabricated content to obscure media coverage.

Israel has announced plans to confiscate 180 hectares of privately owned land in the occupied West Bank, citing the development of an archaeological site as the primary reason. The targeted area, located near the town of Sebastia north of Nablus, is home to tens of thousands of olive trees and spans across Sebastia and the neighboring village of Burqa. Local officials have labeled this as the largest land seizure for archaeological purposes since 1967. The site in Sebastia dates back to the Bronze Age, approximately 3200 BCE, and Israel claims it is linked to the biblical city of Samaria, associated with the ancient Kingdom of Israel. However, Palestinians argue that this move is part of a broader strategy to ‘Judaise’ Palestinian heritage and legitimize land annexation. Sebastia’s mayor, Muhammad Azem, stated that Israel aims to connect the archaeological site to the nearby Shavei Shomron settlement, built on land belonging to several Palestinian towns. Additionally, Israel plans to confiscate more land from Burqa to construct a settler road leading to the settlement. Azem warned that this decision seeks to take control of one of Palestine’s largest archaeological sites, effectively blocking Palestinians from accessing their own land. The economic and security impacts are expected to be severe, with local tourism suffering as Palestinians lose access to the site, and foreign visitors are only permitted entry through Israel. Sebastia, which relies heavily on the site for tourism revenue, could face economic paralysis. Azem also revealed that Israel conducted a year-long excavation, reaching deep archaeological layers, and moved a mobile archaeological unit from Sebastia to the Shavei Shomron settlement, further confirming suspicions of land confiscation. In May 2023, the Israeli government allocated 30 million shekels (approximately $9 million) for excavations and development in Sebastia, including the restoration of the town’s old train station, where settlement activity began in 1974. The plans also include a new road bypassing the Palestinian village entirely. Palestinian expert Dirgham Fares accused Israel of using antiquities as a pretext to annex and Judaise more land, calling it a systematic policy. Peace Now, an Israeli NGO, condemned the move as a violation of Palestinian rights and international law, emphasizing that Sebastia is a heritage site within a Palestinian village and part of a future Palestinian state. Fares also highlighted ongoing Israeli restrictions on Palestinian tourism and antiquities ministry staff, including detentions and disruptions of restoration work, further exacerbating tensions in the region.