In a tragic incident near Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, three Qatari diplomats lost their lives in a car crash, prompting an outpouring of condolences from Gulf leaders. The Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families via a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. He prayed for the deceased to be granted eternal peace and for their families to find strength during this difficult time. Additionally, he wished a swift recovery for the two individuals injured in the accident, who are currently receiving medical care at a local hospital. The Qatar embassy in Cairo confirmed the details of the incident, which occurred early on Sunday. The diplomats were part of Qatar’s Amiri Diwan, the royal court, and were on official duty at the time of the crash. The accident has drawn widespread attention, especially given the recent diplomatic activities in Sharm el-Sheikh, where Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt had engaged in indirect talks aimed at brokering peace in the ongoing Gaza conflict. The city is also set to host a global summit to finalize the agreement. Leaders from across the Gulf, including UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, have extended their condolences to Qatar. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also issued a formal statement expressing solidarity with Doha in this time of grief.
分类： world
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Floods trap people in cars in Spain’s Catalonia region
Torrential rains have unleashed devastating floods in Spain’s north-eastern Catalonia region, leaving numerous individuals stranded in their vehicles, according to officials. Dramatic footage circulating on social media depicts muddy torrents surging through the towns of La Ràpita and Santa Bàrbara in Tarragona province, sweeping away everything in their path. Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, has issued a red alert—the highest level of warning—for the coastal province. Fortunately, there have been no reports of fatalities or injuries thus far. Catalonia’s Civil Protection agency has advised residents in Tarragona’s Ebro Delta to remain indoors, as AEMET predicts up to 180mm (7 inches) of rainfall within a 12-hour period. ‘The situation is complex, and additional rainfall is expected,’ stated Cristina Vicente, a senior official at the agency, in an interview with La Vanguardia newspaper. The severe weather has disrupted train services along the Mediterranean Corridor, with departures from Barcelona and Valencia suspended indefinitely. This flooding follows days of heavy rains and inundation in several south-eastern Spanish regions, including the Balearic Islands. The extreme conditions are attributed to Storm Alice, which has been active in the western Mediterranean.
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Reviving this African game reserve meant catching and transporting hundreds of wild animals
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Once a thriving sanctuary for wildlife, Banhine National Park in Mozambique faced near devastation due to decades of civil war and rampant poaching. Now, a groundbreaking initiative is breathing new life into this historic reserve. In collaboration with the Mozambican government, private conservationists have successfully relocated nearly 400 animals, including zebras, wildebeests, and various antelope species, to Banhine. This effort marks a critical step in reviving the park, which is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park—a network of reserves spanning Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe that serves as a vital wildlife corridor. The relocated animals were sourced from Maputo National Park, a testament to the success of similar restoration efforts 15 years ago. The relocation process was a logistical feat, involving helicopters to herd the animals into funnel-shaped enclosures, followed by an 18-hour truck journey to Banhine. The operation spanned 12 days, with the animals initially introduced into an 8-square-mile sanctuary. This area will gradually expand as the animals acclimate and prepare to roam the larger park. Donald Sutton, head of operations and development at Banhine, emphasized the project’s significance in enhancing biodiversity and boosting tourism. Banhine’s restoration is part of a broader initiative by the Peace Parks Foundation, which has relocated over 18,000 animals to degraded conservation areas across southern Africa. Sutton expressed optimism, envisioning Banhine returning to its former glory as a thriving wildlife haven.
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UAE President offers condolences to Qatar Emir over death of diplomats in car crash
In a tragic incident that has drawn international attention, the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has expressed his heartfelt condolences to Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani following the death of three Qatari diplomats in a fatal car crash. The accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, October 12, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The deceased, identified as Saud bin Thamer Al Thani, Abdullah Ghanem Al Khayarin, and Hassan Jaber Al Jaber, were members of the Amiri Diwan, the administrative office of the Qatari Emir. Two other individuals, Abdullah Issa Al Kuwari and Mohammed Abdulaziz Al Buainain, were injured in the crash and are currently receiving treatment at Sharm El-Sheikh International Hospital. They are expected to be transferred to Doha for further medical care. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs also extended its sympathies to the families of the victims and the Qatari leadership, government, and people, describing the incident as a ‘painful loss.’ The Qatari embassy in Cairo is coordinating with Egyptian authorities to ensure the repatriation of the deceased and the injured. This tragic event underscores the risks faced by diplomats in their line of duty and has prompted expressions of solidarity from across the region.
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Mali imposes $10,000 visa bond on US visitors in tit-for-tat move
In a significant diplomatic escalation, Mali has announced that US nationals visiting the West African country will be required to post a bond of up to $10,000 for business and tourist visas. This decision comes as a direct response to similar visa requirements imposed by the Trump administration on Malian citizens. The US embassy in Mali stated that the fee was introduced to reinforce Washington’s ‘commitment to protecting America’s borders and safeguarding US national security.’ Mali’s foreign ministry, however, described the US move as unilateral and justified its decision to ‘establish an identical visa programme’ for US citizens. This visa policy shift occurs despite recent efforts to improve diplomatic relations between the two countries. In July, US officials visited Mali to discuss counterterrorism cooperation and economic partnerships, including potential access to Mali’s gold and lithium reserves. Relations between the two nations have been strained since a 2021 coup in Mali brought General Assimi Goïta to power. Goïta pivoted Mali towards Russia to combat a growing jihadist insurgency, expelling French troops and bringing in mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group, which has since been replaced by Africa Corps. The situation further deteriorated last week when Burkina Faso’s military government refused to accept deportees from the US, leading Washington to suspend visa issuances in the West African nation. Burkina Faso’s foreign affairs minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, questioned whether the embassy’s decision was ‘blackmail’ after rejecting a US proposal to take in migrants from third countries. The Trump administration has increasingly turned to African countries as destinations for deporting migrants as part of its broader crackdown on immigration.
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US embassy in Doha condoles death of 3 Qatari diplomats in Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh
The US Embassy in Doha has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic deaths of three Qatari diplomats in a car accident in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, also left two members of Qatar’s Amiri Diwan injured. Both are currently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital. The bodies of the deceased and the injured individuals are expected to be repatriated to Doha later in the day. The embassy extended its heartfelt condolences to Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Qatari people, and the families of the victims, emphasizing solidarity with Qatar during this difficult time. The victims were identified as Saud bin Thamer Al Thani, Abdullah Ghanem Al Khayarin, and Hassan Jaber Al Jaber, while the injured are Abdullah Issa Al Kuwari and Mohammed Abdulaziz Al Buainain. The accident comes as Sharm El Sheikh prepares to host a global summit on Monday, chaired by US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, aimed at finalizing a significant international agreement.
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Russia attacks Ukraine’s power grid as Moscow worries over US Tomahawk missiles
Russia has escalated its assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, launching a series of drone and missile strikes overnight into Sunday. This marks a continuation of its strategy to destabilize Ukraine’s power grid ahead of the harsh winter months. The attacks targeted critical energy facilities across multiple regions, including Donetsk, Odesa, and Chernihiv, leaving two employees of Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, wounded. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, labeling them as “aerial terror” and revealing that Russia had deployed over 3,100 drones, 92 missiles, and approximately 1,360 glide bombs in the past week alone. Zelenskyy also emphasized the need for stricter sanctions on buyers of Russian oil, stating that such measures are crucial to cutting off funding for the war. In a separate development, Zelenskyy reported a “very productive” phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which they discussed bolstering Ukraine’s air defense, resilience, and long-range capabilities. The conversation also touched on potential U.S. military aid, including the provision of Tomahawk cruise missiles, a topic that has drawn “extreme concern” from the Kremlin. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed skepticism about the U.S. delivering such weapons, suggesting that Trump’s rhetoric might not translate into immediate action. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s energy sector remains a focal point of the conflict, with Russian strikes causing widespread damage and blackouts. Ukrainian officials have described the recent attacks as among the largest concentrated strikes on the country’s energy infrastructure. As winter approaches, Russia’s strategy appears aimed at undermining public morale by disrupting essential services. Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting or jamming 103 of 118 Russian drones launched overnight, while Russia claimed to have shot down 32 Ukrainian drones over its territory.
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UN chief to attend Gaza peace summit in Egypt
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set to participate in the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit for Peace in Egypt on Monday, as confirmed by the Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General on Saturday. The summit, hosted in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, aims to finalize an agreement to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump, the event will convene leaders from over 20 nations to address the crisis in the Gaza Strip, promote peace and stability in the Middle East, and establish a new era of regional security. Guterres is expected to return to UN Headquarters in New York by Wednesday. The Egyptian Presidency highlighted the summit’s significance in fostering collaborative efforts to resolve the conflict and enhance regional stability.
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Chinese coast guard rams and damages a Philippine vessel off an island in the South China Sea
In a recent escalation of tensions in the disputed South China Sea, a Chinese coast guard vessel employed a high-pressure water cannon against a Philippine government ship anchored near Thitu Island, a territory occupied by the Philippines. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, resulted in minor structural damage to the Philippine vessel, BRP Datu Pagbuaya, though no injuries were reported among its crew. The Philippine coast guard condemned the act as a dangerous and provocative maneuver, emphasizing that such aggression would not deter their commitment to protecting national sovereignty.
The Chinese coast guard defended its actions, claiming that the Philippine vessels had illegally entered what it referred to as Chinese waters near Sandy Cay, a cluster of sandbars situated between Thitu Island and China’s artificial Subi Island base. According to Chinese authorities, the Philippine ships ignored repeated warnings, prompting the coast guard to take lawful measures to drive them away. Beijing reiterated its longstanding claim over virtually the entire South China Sea, despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated such claims. The ruling, supported by the United States and its allies, has been consistently rejected by China.
The Philippine coast guard released video footage showing the Chinese vessel firing the water cannon at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, striking both the ship and its flags. Commodore Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson for the Philippine coast guard, affirmed that such bullying tactics would not force Manila to relinquish any territory. Meanwhile, Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun accused the Philippines of undermining regional peace and stability, placing full responsibility for the incident on the Philippine side.
Thitu Island, known as Pag-asa in the Philippines, is the largest of nine islands and reefs inhabited by Philippine forces in the Spratlys archipelago, a highly contested region of the South China Sea. China has transformed several barren reefs into militarized artificial islands, including Subi, which lies just over 20 kilometers from Thitu. The latest confrontation adds to the challenges faced by the Philippine government, which is also grappling with natural disasters, including recent earthquakes and typhoons that have devastated parts of the country.
Philippine coast guard commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan vowed that the harassment would only strengthen their resolve to protect Filipino fisherfolk and uphold national sovereignty. The incident underscores the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, involving multiple nations and raising concerns over regional stability.
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A Myanmar town lies in shambles as both sides in civil war vie for control
KYAUKME, Myanmar — Ten days after its recapture by Myanmar’s military government, the town of Kyaukme remains a ghostly shadow of its former self. Schools have reopened, but the once-bustling market is eerily empty, with vendors hastily closing their stalls at the sight of visiting journalists. The Associated Press, granted rare access to the war-torn area under military supervision, documented the devastation on Friday. The town, located in Shan State, is now a scene of charred wreckage, with official buildings such as the courthouse, police station, and government housing reduced to ruins. The hospital’s operations have been temporarily relocated to a nearby Chinese temple, and at least one fire engine lies burnt out. While civilian houses appear mostly unscathed, the majority of the town’s 46,000 residents have fled, leaving Kyaukme a desolate shell. The ethnic militia previously in control accused the military of causing the destruction through air strikes and heavy weapons, while government soldiers claim the militia destroyed structures during their retreat. Kyaukme’s strategic location on a highway connecting central Myanmar to China has made it a focal point in the ongoing civil war, which erupted after the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in 2021. The town has changed hands twice since then, most recently falling back to the military on October 1 after a three-week battle. Army checkpoints now dot the road from Nawnghkio, a recently recaptured town, to Kyaukme, with unexploded ordnance and land mines posing ongoing threats. Locals who remain, unable to afford relocation, describe a town on the front lines of conflict, with residents unwilling to return until nearby areas are secured.