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  • Sri Lanka declares emergency as cyclone death toll hits 132; 176 missing

    Sri Lanka declares emergency as cyclone death toll hits 132; 176 missing

    Sri Lanka has activated emergency protocols following the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which has claimed 132 lives with 176 individuals still unaccounted for. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invoked special powers to coordinate large-scale relief operations as the nation grapples with its most severe natural disaster since 2017.

    The cyclone’s torrential rains have precipitated catastrophic flooding and landslides across the island nation, resulting in the destruction of over 15,000 residential properties. Official reports confirm that approximately 78,000 displaced citizens have sought refuge in government-operated temporary shelters, overwhelming existing infrastructure and resources.

    Military forces have executed complex rescue missions, including a 24-hour operation that successfully extracted 69 stranded bus passengers from Anuradhapura district. Among those rescued was a German tourist, highlighting the international dimension of the tragedy. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences of roof collapses and aborted helicopter rescues due to dangerous weather conditions.

    Critical infrastructure has suffered extensive damage, with approximately one-third of the country experiencing power outages and water purification system failures. Remote districts including Badulla and Kandy remain largely inaccessible due to submerged roads and fresh landslides, creating isolated communities without essential supplies.

    International response initiatives have commenced, with India leading assistance efforts by dispatching two aircraft laden with relief supplies. An Indian naval vessel stationed in Colombo contributed its rations to support victims, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged additional aid resources.

    The Sri Lankan government has formally requested international assistance and established channels for financial contributions from overseas citizens. Meteorological reports indicate the cyclone is now progressing toward southern India, where Chennai Airport has preemptively cancelled 54 flights in anticipation of severe weather conditions.

    This catastrophe represents the most lethal natural event to strike Sri Lanka in eight years, eclipsed only by the 2003 floods that resulted in 254 fatalities and the 2017 disaster that claimed over 200 lives.

  • Palestinian death toll in Gaza tops 70,000, say health authorities

    Palestinian death toll in Gaza tops 70,000, say health authorities

    Health authorities in Gaza reported on Saturday that the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 70,100 since the onset of Israeli military operations in October 2023. The Gaza-based health ministry released an official statement confirming the devastating milestone, marking one of the deadliest conflicts in recent Middle Eastern history.

    The announcement comes amid ongoing hostilities that have transformed much of the coastal territory into landscapes of destruction. Visual evidence from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, captured in October 2024 photographs, shows entire city blocks reduced to rubble, with multi-story buildings completely collapsed and infrastructure devastated.

    The conflict, now entering its fourteenth month, continues to generate international concern regarding humanitarian conditions within the besieged territory. Medical facilities, already strained by years of blockade, have reported being overwhelmed by casualties while facing critical shortages of medical supplies, equipment, and functional facilities due to targeted attacks and general destruction.

    This latest death toll figure represents a catastrophic human cost that has drawn widespread international condemnation and repeated calls for ceasefires from various global organizations and nations. The numbers continue to climb daily as offensive operations persist across multiple regions of the Strip, with recent operations expanding into previously declared safe zones.

    The comprehensive toll includes combatants and civilians alike, with health officials noting that women and children constitute a significant percentage of the fatalities. Independent verification of exact numbers remains challenging due to access restrictions and the collapse of normal administrative functions within the territory.

  • UAE offers condolences to Indonesia over Sumatra flood victims

    UAE offers condolences to Indonesia over Sumatra flood victims

    The United Arab Emirates has formally expressed profound sympathy and solidarity with the Republic of Indonesia in the wake of devastating natural disasters that struck Sumatra Island. Catastrophic flooding and landslides, triggered by intense cyclonic rainfall, have resulted in massive casualties and widespread displacement throughout the region.

    In an official statement released by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Emirates conveyed its deepest condolences and heartfelt compassion to both the Indonesian government and the families affected by this tragedy. The communication emphasized the UAE’s steadfast support for Indonesia during this period of national mourning and recovery efforts.

    The scale of the disaster continues to escalate as Indonesian disaster management authorities reported a sharp increase in casualties. The death toll has surged to 303 confirmed fatalities as of Saturday, representing a significant rise from the previous count of 174 victims. Rescue operations face substantial challenges reaching the most severely impacted zones where over 100 individuals remain unaccounted for.

    The geographical isolation of affected communities combined with damaged infrastructure has complicated emergency response efforts. Disaster relief teams are working tirelessly to overcome these obstacles while providing essential aid to survivors and coordinating recovery operations across the devastated regions of Sumatra.

  • Israeli president concerned over proposed renaming of park

    Israeli president concerned over proposed renaming of park

    A controversial proposal to rename Herzog Park in south Dublin has ignited diplomatic tensions between Ireland and Israel, drawing strong reactions from both governments and Jewish communities. The park, located in Rathgar, was originally named in 1995 to honor Chaim Herzog, the Belfast-born sixth president of Israel who spent his formative years in Dublin.

    The Office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, son of the late leader, issued a formal statement expressing profound concern over the potential name removal, characterizing it as a ‘shameful and disgraceful move’ that would damage the historical connection between Irish and Jewish peoples. The statement emphasized Chaim Herzog’s dual legacy as both an Israeli leader and a hero who fought against Nazi occupation in Europe, dedicating his life to values of freedom, tolerance, and peace.

    Irish political leaders have joined the opposition against the renaming proposal. Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris declared his complete opposition, stating ‘It is wrong. We are an inclusive republic,’ while Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee urged councilors to reject the motion, distinguishing between criticism of current Israeli policies and honoring historical figures.

    The Jewish Representative Council of Ireland described the move as ‘deeply concerning,’ with Chair Maurice Cohen warning that removing the Herzog name would be widely perceived as an attempt to erase Irish Jewish history. The proposal originated from Labour Party councilor Fiona Connelly in December 2024, who questioned whether proper naming procedures were followed initially.

    This controversy occurs against the backdrop of deteriorating Ireland-Israel relations, including Israel’s decision to close its Dublin embassy last year following Ireland’s support for South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel and its recognition of Palestinian statehood alongside Norway and Spain. The current military situation in Gaza, which began after Hamas’s October 2023 attack, has further complicated diplomatic relations between the two nations.

  • Airbus A320 recall in UAE: Regulator says safety inspections underway on aircraft

    Airbus A320 recall in UAE: Regulator says safety inspections underway on aircraft

    The United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has confirmed the immediate implementation of comprehensive safety inspections across its national Airbus A320 fleet. This decisive action follows an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) that affects approximately 6,000 aircraft worldwide, representing over half of the global A320 fleet.

    According to official statements released on Saturday, the GCAA is maintaining close coordination with both EASA and UAE carriers to ensure full compliance with all safety mandates. The regulatory body emphasized that these precautionary measures are designed to uphold the highest operational safety standards while minimizing disruption to flight operations throughout the Emirates.

    Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicates that UAE operators Air Arabia and Etihad Airways collectively maintain 106 A320 aircraft subject to the directive. Both airlines have demonstrated proactive responses to the manufacturer’s recall notice.

    Air Arabia confirmed it is implementing required software and technical updates across affected aircraft, with a spokesperson stating: ‘We are working to ensure minimal impact on our customers. Should any schedule adjustments become necessary, affected passengers will receive direct notification.’

    Etihad Airways reported even more rapid progress, announcing the successful completion of mandatory software updates across its entire A320 fleet. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier credited its operational and technical teams for accomplishing the updates during one of the busiest travel periods at Zayed International Airport, with flights having returned to normal scheduled operations.

    The GCAA reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to rigorous regulatory oversight, noting that all operators remain prepared to implement technical updates issued by manufacturers or relevant international authorities promptly and effectively.

  • Multiple-entry, 2-month visit visa: Qatar to extend permits for GCC residents

    Multiple-entry, 2-month visit visa: Qatar to extend permits for GCC residents

    Qatar has unveiled a significant expansion of its visa facilitation program for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) residents, announcing the extension of visit permits from one month to two months with multiple-entry privileges. The new regulations, set to take effect on November 30, 2025, through the Haya digital platform, represent a strategic move to enhance regional tourism integration.

    The initiative, announced by Qatar Tourism, aims to capitalize on the nation’s post-FIFA World Cup 2025 infrastructure and event hosting capabilities. The enhanced visa scheme will enable GCC residents to more conveniently attend Qatar’s growing calendar of sports tournaments, cultural exhibitions, and entertainment events. This policy adjustment particularly supports the upcoming Arab Cup 2025 tournament, facilitating smoother entry procedures for regional spectators.

    The Haya platform serves as a comprehensive digital ecosystem for visa processing and event management, offering five distinct electronic visa categories: standard tourist visas (A1), GCC resident visas (A2), electronic travel notification visas (A3), companion visas for GCC citizen guests (A4), and visa waivers for US citizens (F1). This streamlined approach significantly simplifies trip planning for international visitors while maintaining robust security protocols.

    Tourism analysts view this development as part of Qatar’s broader strategy to position itself as a regional hub for major international events. The extended visa duration and multiple-entry feature address previous limitations that potentially constrained visitor mobility within the GCC region, particularly affecting those wishing to combine Qatari events with visits to neighboring countries.

  • ‘It didn’t look good’ – Erasmus on Etzebeth red card

    ‘It didn’t look good’ – Erasmus on Etzebeth red card

    Cardiff witnessed a historic yet controversial conclusion to the autumn internationals as South Africa delivered a crushing 73-0 defeat to Wales on Saturday. The reigning world champions demonstrated their formidable dominance by scoring eleven tries in a display of pure rugby supremacy.

    However, the spectacular performance was overshadowed in the final minutes when veteran lock Eben Etzebeth received a red card for making contact with the eye area of Welsh flanker Alex Mann. The incident occurred during a scuffle in the 79th minute, with referee Luc Ramos immediately dismissing the 34-year-old Springbok legend.

    South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus acknowledged the seriousness of the incident, stating: ‘The optics weren’t great. It didn’t look good and it was a justified red card.’ Erasmus expressed disappointment that the match concluded on such a note, particularly as Etzebeth had just scored the final try moments before the infraction.

    The victory completed South Africa’s perfect autumn campaign and cemented their position as the world’s top-ranked team. Meanwhile, Wales suffered their most lopsided defeat in history, extending their dismal record to 21 losses in their last 23 Test matches under new coach Steve Tandy.

    Erasmus offered words of encouragement to the struggling Welsh side, drawing parallels to South Africa’s own rebuilding period: ‘We were in that situation where people were burning jerseys. Get one or two wins, get on a roll and things will change. I know that things changed from 2016, when we were nowhere, to 2019 when we won the World Cup.’

    Etzebeth, who earned his record 141st cap for South Africa during the match, now faces a potentially lengthy suspension. World Rugby regulations mandate bans ranging from 6 to 208 weeks for eye contact incidents, depending on severity and intent.

  • UAE: Demand for turkey up as many families celebrate Thanksgiving over long weekend

    UAE: Demand for turkey up as many families celebrate Thanksgiving over long weekend

    The United Arab Emirates is witnessing a remarkable surge in Thanksgiving celebrations, with demand for traditional turkey meals reaching unprecedented levels during the extended National Day weekend. This American holiday has transcended its cultural origins, becoming an increasingly popular occasion for communal gatherings among diverse communities in the Gulf nation.

    Major food retailers and restaurants report exceptional growth in turkey sales, with some establishments experiencing 100% increased demand compared to 2024. The trend reflects the UAE’s evolving cultural landscape, where international traditions blend with local customs to create unique hybrid celebrations.

    According to industry experts, the phenomenon demonstrates significant shifts in consumer behavior. Warwick Gird, General Manager of Marketing at Spinneys, noted particularly strong demand for large turkeys in the 6-8 kg range, indicating that residents are hosting substantial gatherings. “We’ve seen high double-digit growth versus last year,” Gird confirmed, highlighting the scale of the increase.

    The trend extends beyond retail to prepared meals, with restaurants reporting substantial pre-order volumes. Joe Dourans, Operations Manager at Rodeo Drive, observed that while Thanksgiving originated as a US holiday, UAE families are embracing it as a warm, communal celebration. “Each year, we see more returning guests and larger group bookings,” Dourans noted, indicating the tradition’s growing roots beyond its original cultural context.

    Sajan Alex, CEO of Tablez Food Company, attributed the surge to strong economic performance and positive consumer sentiment. “Individuals are more willing to spend on premium festive experiences,” Alex stated, noting that their Famous Dave’s brand has seen 100% growth in demand for their oak-smoked turkey feast offerings.

    Industry professionals anticipate the trend will continue through the Christmas season and beyond, with turkey becoming a preferred centerpiece for various celebrations throughout the year. Interestingly, there’s growing interest in locally-infused variations that incorporate Middle Eastern flavors while maintaining the dish’s festive essence, creating a distinctive UAE interpretation of the Thanksgiving tradition.

  • Cambridge union approves motion saying world ‘failed Palestine’

    Cambridge union approves motion saying world ‘failed Palestine’

    In a decisive move reflecting growing campus activism, the Cambridge University Student Union has passed a motion declaring that the international community has failed Palestine. The resolution received overwhelming support during a Thursday debate featuring prominent voices from both sides of the conflict.

    The contentious debate featured Palestinian journalist and campaigner Yara Eid advocating for the motion, while Israeli speaker Hen Mazzig, a former army liaison officer, argued against it. Mazzig later characterized the reception to his arguments as ‘hostile’ in a Jewish News article reproducing his speech.

    This development follows last month’s significant decision by Cambridge Student Union to disaffiliate from the National Union of Students (NUS), citing the organization’s failure to adequately campaign for Palestine and support pro-Palestine protesters. The disaffiliation was further justified by citing poor value for money, with annual fees estimated at £20,000 ($26,000).

    The Cambridge vote aligns with broader student activism across the United Kingdom, where student groups and union officers from 55 universities signed an open letter demanding the NUS take a stronger stance on Gaza or face mass disaffiliation. In response, the NUS controversially demanded that union officers remove their signatures from the letter or face bans from NUS events.

    Concurrently, Cambridge University announced last month its decision to divest from companies involved in producing ‘controversial weapons,’ following a year of pro-Palestine protests on campus. This move mirrors similar action taken by King’s College, one of Cambridge’s largest colleges, which committed to divesting from arms industry companies complicit in ‘the occupation of Ukraine and Palestinian territories.’

  • UAE President waives Dh475 million in debt for over 1,400 citizens

    UAE President waives Dh475 million in debt for over 1,400 citizens

    In a sweeping humanitarian gesture, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has authorized the cancellation of debts exceeding Dh475 million for 1,435 Emirati citizens facing financial hardship. The monumental debt relief initiative, coordinated through the Defaulted Debts Settlement Fund, represents one of the most substantial social welfare measures undertaken in the nation’s recent history.

    The comprehensive debt waiver program specifically targets vulnerable segments of society, including humanitarian and medical cases, low-income borrowers, families of deceased individuals, retirees with limited means, and senior citizens. The program operates in collaboration with 19 major banking institutions and financial entities across the Emirates, ensuring widespread impact across the financial sector.

    Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, has been personally overseeing the implementation of this presidential directive. The initiative reflects the leadership’s profound commitment to alleviating financial pressures on citizens while promoting family stability and social development.

    Debt settlement procedures are being conducted according to rigorous legal and regulatory frameworks that carefully consider the nature and purpose of each loan. Priority is given to essential living expenses and necessary costs that affect citizens’ quality of life and financial security.

    The participating financial institutions include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Group, Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Mashreq Bank, RAKBANK, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, e&, United Arab Bank, Arab Bank for Investment & Foreign Trade (Al Masraf), Commercial Bank of Dubai, HSBC, Ajman Bank, Amlak Finance, Emirates Islamic Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, National Bank of Umm Al Qaiwain, and Citibank.

    This unprecedented debt relief measure demonstrates the UAE government’s proactive approach to social welfare and economic stability, providing citizens with a fresh financial start while reinforcing the nation’s commitment to compassionate governance.