Two climbers have tragically lost their lives after falling from New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook. The incident occurred during an attempt to summit the 3,724-meter-high mountain, renowned for its treacherous terrain. The climbers were part of a group of four, with the other two members escaping unharmed. The survivors were rescued by helicopter early Tuesday morning after alerting emergency services the previous night. Authorities later discovered the bodies of the deceased climbers, still connected by their climbing harness, in a challenging alpine environment. Efforts are ongoing to recover the bodies amidst the difficult conditions. Mount Cook, which dominates the Southern Alps on New Zealand’s South Island, is notorious for its large crevasses and unpredictable weather, making it a perilous climb even for seasoned mountaineers. While the identities of the climbers have not been officially released, New Zealand media outlet Stuff reported that one of the victims was a well-known, internationally recognized mountain guide. This tragedy follows the disappearance of three climbers from the US and Canada nearly a year ago, who were declared dead after a prolonged search hampered by severe weather. According to ClimbNZ, the New Zealand alpine club, fatalities on Mount Cook are not uncommon, with hardly a climbing season passing without at least one death.
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UAE expert says Ethiopia volcano ash may reach Yemen, Oman: Emarat Al Youm
The recent eruption of Ethiopia’s Haile Gobi volcano has sent volcanic ash and sulfur dioxide gas drifting toward Yemen and Oman, according to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society. The eruption, which began on November 23, 2025, marks the first known activity of the volcano in approximately 10,000 years. Satellite imagery captured a dense ash column rising over 10 kilometers into the sky, with the plume moving east-northeast toward the southern Arabian Peninsula. Al Jarwan warned that the ash and gas could cause eye and respiratory irritation for residents in affected areas, and the interaction of sulfur dioxide with moisture might lead to light acid rain. The Oman Environment Authority has issued advisories, though no significant rise in pollution levels has been detected yet. Aviation authorities have also been alerted, as volcanic ash poses risks to aircraft engines, visibility, and navigation systems. The eruption, located in Ethiopia’s Afar region within the Great Rift Valley, is a significant event for researchers studying dormant volcanic systems and geological activity in the African Rift Valley. While the eruption has subsided, experts caution that follow-up explosions are possible, necessitating continued monitoring. The ash plume, tracked by VAAC Toulouse, has already reached parts of Yemen, and regional agencies are closely observing its movement as wind patterns may shift.
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Family reunited after a decade – now a Trump clampdown could tear them apart
In a heartwarming yet precarious reunion, Marven, a 16-year-old boy, celebrated his birthday with his biological mother, Guerline, and sister, Rochelle, in Lakeland, Florida. The family, separated for a decade due to the 2010 Haiti earthquake, was brought together three years ago by Stacey Nageli Angulo, Marven’s adoptive mother. Stacey, who adopted Marven after the disaster, facilitated Guerline and Rochelle’s move to the US under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a program designed to shield individuals from countries affected by war or natural disasters. However, this newfound unity is under threat as TPS for 350,000 Haitians is set to expire in February, part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration policy changes. Guerline and Rochelle, who now live and work legally in the US, face the grim prospect of deportation back to Haiti, where gang violence has displaced 10% of the population and created a humanitarian crisis. Marven, who feels his life is ‘more complete’ with his family, dreads the possibility of separation. Stacey, a former Trump supporter, expresses her dismay at the potential deportation of her extended family, calling it ‘unthinkable and unconscionable.’ The story highlights the human cost of immigration policies and the fragile nature of family reunification in the face of geopolitical decisions.
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Trump inches closer to designating Muslim Brotherhood a Foreign Terrorist Organisation
Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a ‘foreign terrorist organization’ (FTO), emphasizing that the decision would be executed with utmost severity. In an interview with Just the News, Trump revealed that final documentation is currently being prepared. Although the White House has not officially commented, Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, reshared the interview on Monday. This move aligns with broader congressional efforts to label the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, with bipartisan support from senators like Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton, and John Fetterman. The House of Representatives also has a similar bill co-sponsored by Democrats. Trump’s authority to make this designation stems from the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the Secretary of State to initiate the process based on specific criteria, including the group’s foreign status and perceived threat to U.S. national security. However, experts like George Washington University professor Nathan Brown argue that the Muslim Brotherhood poses no threat to U.S. security. Trump’s push for this designation began during his first administration, particularly after meeting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in 2019. The move has faced opposition from some U.S. officials but has gained traction among certain state leaders, such as Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who recently designated the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations. The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in the 1920s, has a complex history, gaining popularity during the Arab Spring but facing crackdowns in countries like Egypt and Tunisia. The group’s decentralized structure and ideological affiliations with parties like Hamas complicate its designation as a terrorist organization. If designated, the Muslim Brotherhood could appeal the decision in U.S. courts. The move reflects ongoing tensions in the Middle East, where the group is viewed as a threat by many monarchies.
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Trump announces end of Temporary Protected Status for Somalis
In a recent post on Truth Social, former U.S. President Donald Trump declared his intention to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis, citing alleged fraudulent activities and gang-related issues in Minnesota. Trump accused Somali gangs of ‘terrorizing’ residents and claimed that ‘BILLIONS of Dollars are missing,’ though he provided no evidence to support these claims. He stated, ‘Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER!’ This announcement marks the latest effort by Trump to dismantle TPS, a program that allows individuals from countries deemed unsafe to live and work in the U.S. temporarily. TPS was first granted to Somalis in 1991 following the collapse of President Mohamed Siad Barre’s government and the ensuing civil war. While Somalia is no longer in full-scale conflict, the country continues to face instability and violence. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison criticized Trump’s remarks, calling them ‘scare tactics’ and emphasizing the contributions of Somali immigrants to the state. TPS for Somalis was extended under the Biden administration and is set to expire in March 2026. The Department of Homeland Security has yet to clarify whether the termination applies nationwide or only in Minnesota. Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz dismissed Trump’s post as a distraction. This move follows the Trump administration’s previous attempts to revoke TPS for other groups, including Syrians, which faced legal challenges. A federal court recently delayed the termination of TPS for Syrians pending further legal proceedings. Critics argue that the administration’s actions are driven by bias rather than factual considerations.
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Saudi Arabia monitoring air after volcanic ash spreads to region
Saudi Arabia has initiated comprehensive atmospheric monitoring following the eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia, which sent volcanic ash plumes soaring up to 14 kilometers into the sky. The eruption, the first in 12,000 years, has caused ash clouds to drift over Yemen, Oman, India, and northern Pakistan, raising concerns about air quality and aviation safety across the region. The Kingdom’s meteorology center confirmed that no direct impact on Saudi Arabia’s atmosphere has been detected so far. Meanwhile, Oman’s Environment Authority issued an advisory regarding potential air quality degradation, though monitoring stations have yet to record increased pollutant levels. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued safety advisories to airlines, urging them to avoid affected regions and altitudes. An Abu Dhabi-bound Indigo flight was diverted to Ahmedabad due to the ash. Airlines have been instructed to adjust flight planning, monitor updates, and report any ash encounters. The Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in Ethiopia’s Afar region, erupted for several hours on Sunday, marking a rare geological event in the Rift Valley, a hotspot for tectonic activity. The Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program noted that this is the first recorded eruption of Hayli Gubbi in the Holocene epoch.
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UAE-India flights may face delays as volcanic ash from Ethiopia spreads over Middle East
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a critical safety advisory to airlines following the eruption of Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano, which has sent a massive ash plume across the Middle East. The volcanic ash has drifted into the Muscat Flight Information Region, potentially disrupting flights between the UAE and India. The DGCA has urged airlines to review their volcanic ash procedures, brief flight crews, and adjust flight planning based on the latest advisories. Operators have also been instructed to monitor NOTAM and meteorological updates, report any ash encounters, and conduct post-flight inspections for aircraft traversing affected zones. Airports have been advised to suspend operations if ash contamination is detected and to clear runways, taxiways, and aprons immediately. Flight disruptions have already begun, with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines canceling its Amsterdam-Delhi service and Indian carriers issuing cautionary updates for passengers traveling through the Middle East. SpiceJet and Akasa Air are closely monitoring the situation, prioritizing passenger safety and coordinating with aviation authorities. Air India has assured passengers that its flights remain largely unaffected but is prepared to implement precautionary measures. The Hayli Gubbi volcano, which erupted for the first time in nearly 10,000 years, has created an ash cloud now drifting toward northern India, prompting continuous monitoring by global aviation authorities.
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3D-printed guns FBI boss Kash Patel gifted to New Zealand officials were toy-inspired revolvers
In a surprising turn of events, FBI Director Kash Patel’s gift of 3D-printed replica revolvers to senior New Zealand security officials has raised eyebrows and legal concerns. The gifts, inspired by toy Nerf guns and popular among amateur 3D-printed weapons enthusiasts, were identified as the Maverick PG22 model. These pistols, though initially inoperable, could easily be modified to function, according to experts. Under New Zealand’s stringent gun laws, such weapons are treated as functional firearms, requiring specific permits for possession. The officials, including New Zealand’s police and spy chiefs, voluntarily surrendered the gifts for destruction to comply with local regulations. Patel, the highest-ranking Trump administration official to visit New Zealand, was in Wellington to inaugurate the FBI’s first standalone office in the country. A spokesperson for Patel did not respond to requests for comment. The incident has highlighted the complexities of international relations and the strict gun control measures in New Zealand, especially in the wake of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings.
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UAE poised to power GCC’s 2026 boom with 5.6% growth
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set for a significant economic upswing in 2026, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia leading the charge. According to the ICAEW’s Q4 2025 Economic Insight report, the GCC’s GDP is projected to grow by 4.4%, driven by surging non-oil activities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The UAE, in particular, is expected to achieve a 5.6% GDP growth, cementing its status as one of the Gulf’s fastest-growing economies. Key sectors such as tourism, trade, logistics, real estate, and financial services are anticipated to fuel this expansion, supported by strong population growth, a vibrant labor market, and sustained domestic demand. The UAE’s strategic initiatives, including the “We the UAE 2031” plan, are further bolstering long-term economic momentum. Dubai has already showcased the resilience of the UAE’s non-oil economy, with a 4.4% growth in the first half of 2025, driven by trade, transport, hospitality, and financial services. Abu Dhabi’s non-oil foreign trade surged by 34.7% to AED 195.4 billion in the same period, highlighting the emirate’s growing role as a global trade and logistics hub. The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) forecasts real GDP growth of 4.9% in 2025 and 5.3% in 2026, with non-hydrocarbon GDP expected to grow by 4.5% and 4.8%, respectively. Hydrocarbon output is projected to rise by 5.8% and 6.5%, while inflation remains contained at 1.5–1.9%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is expected to expand by 4.1% in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improved credit conditions, and increased investment in technology and AI infrastructure. Saudi Arabia is also poised for robust growth, with a projected GDP increase of 4.3% in 2026, driven by non-oil sectors and policy reforms. Despite fiscal challenges, Riyadh remains committed to Vision 2030, prioritizing long-term diversification. Analysts emphasize that the UAE’s strategic location, economic reforms, and innovation-led investments are not only accelerating its own growth but also uplifting the entire GCC region, marking a pivotal shift towards sustainable and diversified economic expansion.
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Jebel Ali port sets breakbulk record, handling 630,000 tonnes in October
DP World’s Jebel Ali Port has set a new benchmark in its operational history by handling an unprecedented 630,000 tonnes of breakbulk cargo in October 2025. This milestone marks the highest monthly volume recorded in nearly two decades, driven by surging industrial and construction demands across the UAE and the broader Gulf region. Key contributors to this achievement include increased imports of iron and steel for major projects such as the Dubai Metro Blue Line and the expansion of Dubai World Central (DWC) Airport, alongside rising sugar exports. The port’s performance builds on a robust 2024, which saw breakbulk volumes grow by 23% year-on-year to 5.36 million metric tonnes, underscoring the UAE’s expanding industrial base and its pivotal role in global trade. Shahab Al Jassmi, Chief Commercial Officer of Ports and Terminals at DP World GCC, emphasized that this record reflects the trust businesses place in Jebel Ali as the region’s most reliable cargo gateway. He highlighted the port’s commitment to enhancing capacity, technology, and sustainability initiatives to support long-term growth. Breakbulk cargo, which includes heavy and oversized materials essential for large-scale construction and industrial projects, remains a cornerstone of Jebel Ali’s operations. Supported by Jafza’s integrated ecosystem and DP World’s global logistics capabilities, the port ensures seamless movement of complex cargo across regional and international supply chains. This achievement aligns with Jebel Ali’s transformation into one of the world’s most advanced multipurpose ports, consistently achieving record performance across container, RoRo, and bulk cargo categories. The port’s agility in adapting to evolving global supply chains and its central role in the UAE’s economic transformation highlight its significance in supporting Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33 and the national Operation 300Bn strategy.