A devastating fire erupted on Saturday in a discount store in Hermosillo, a city in northwestern Mexico, resulting in the tragic loss of 23 lives, including children. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her profound condolences to the bereaved families in a heartfelt message on X, formerly known as Twitter. Sheinbaum also directed the interior minister to deploy support teams to aid the victims’ families and those injured in the blaze. Hermosillo Mayor Antonio Astiazaran confirmed the casualties in a separate post on the same platform. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, as stated by the city’s fire chief during a brief social media interview. This incident has cast a somber shadow over the community, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in public spaces.
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What to know about a stabbing attack aboard a train in Britain
A routine railway journey in eastern England turned into a scene of panic and violence on Saturday evening when multiple passengers were stabbed aboard a train bound for London. The incident, which left nearly a dozen people injured, occurred as the train departed Peterborough, midway through its two-hour journey from Doncaster to King’s Cross station. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with bloodied passengers rushing down the aisles to escape the violence. One passenger, Olly Foster, initially mistook the commotion for a Halloween prank until he noticed blood on his hand. “Everyone was really pushing behind us, really panicking,” Foster recounted. Emergency services responded swiftly, with British Transport Police receiving the first calls at 7:42 p.m. Within minutes, dozens of officers, including armed units, and paramedics arrived at Huntingdon station, where the train made an unscheduled stop. Two suspects, described as a 32-year-old Black man and a 35-year-old of Caribbean descent, were arrested within eight minutes of the initial emergency calls. Police used a Taser to subdue one suspect who was reportedly wielding a large knife. While ten victims were hospitalized, two remain in life-threatening condition. Authorities have ruled out terrorism as a motive, with the investigation led by British Transport Police. Senior politicians and royalty, including King Charles III and Queen Camilla, expressed their shock and sympathy for the victims and their families. The train remained at Huntingdon station as forensic teams continued their investigation.
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Hurricane Melissa death toll rises to 28 in Jamaica
The death toll in Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa has surged to 28, as confirmed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. The catastrophic storm, a category five hurricane—the most severe classification—has wreaked havoc across the Caribbean, with additional fatalities reported in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Holness revealed on Saturday that nine more deaths were confirmed, with potential casualties still under investigation, indicating the toll may rise further. Emergency responders and aid agencies face significant challenges in reaching affected areas due to blocked roads, debris, and widespread flooding. The hurricane, which made landfall on Tuesday, knocked out communication systems and power across much of Jamaica, leaving 72% of the population without electricity and forcing around 6,000 people into emergency shelters. The western regions of the island, including Black River and Montego Bay, have borne the brunt of the destruction, with images showing flattened buildings, streets littered with debris, and entire neighborhoods submerged. Aid distribution has been hampered by landslides, downed power lines, and impassable roads, despite the reopening of Jamaica’s airports. Reports of desperate individuals looting supermarkets and pharmacies for essential supplies underscore the dire situation. Hurricane Melissa, with sustained winds of 185mph (295 km/h), is now the most powerful storm on record to hit Jamaica and one of the strongest in Caribbean history. The broader impact of climate change on storm intensity remains uncertain, but rising sea surface temperatures are believed to fuel more powerful hurricanes. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year, a forecast tragically validated by Melissa’s devastation.
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‘Costly spectacle’: India’s cloud seeding trials in New Delhi fall flat
India’s ambitious attempt to combat Delhi’s severe air pollution through cloud seeding has been met with skepticism and disappointment. The initiative, launched in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, involved spraying particles like silver iodide and salt into clouds from a Cessna aircraft to induce rainfall, which could potentially wash away pollutants. However, the first trials last week yielded minimal rainfall due to insufficient cloud cover, casting doubt on the method’s effectiveness. Environmental activists and scientists have criticized the approach, labeling it a ‘costly spectacle’ that fails to address the root causes of pollution. Delhi, home to 30 million residents, faces a recurring winter smog crisis, with emissions from farm fires, factories, and vehicles trapped by cold air. Despite interventions like vehicle restrictions and smog towers, the city’s air quality remains among the worst globally. A day after the trial, PM2.5 levels soared to 323, 20 times the World Health Organization’s daily limit. Critics argue that cloud seeding, even if successful, offers only temporary relief, as pollution levels rebound quickly. Long-term solutions, such as cleaner fuels, better waste management, and stricter emission controls, are deemed essential. The debate continues as authorities defend the trials as part of a broader research process, while experts call for a focus on sustainable measures.
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UAE welcomes UN resolution on Western Sahara autonomy based on Morocco plan
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed strong support for a recent United Nations resolution advocating for genuine autonomy for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty. This resolution, drafted by the United States and adopted by the UN Security Council, aims to address the decades-long territorial dispute between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front. Western Sahara, a vast desert region comparable in size to Britain, has been a contentious issue since Spain’s withdrawal in 1975. Morocco claims the territory as its own, while the Polisario Front seeks to establish an independent Sahrawi Republic. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) hailed the resolution as a significant step toward achieving a lasting political solution, aligning with the principles of the UN Charter. Mofa also commended US diplomatic efforts in advancing the resolution and reaffirmed the UAE’s solidarity with Morocco, emphasizing the importance of peaceful negotiations and Morocco’s legitimate rights over the territory. The UAE’s support underscores its commitment to regional stability, sovereignty, and sustainable prosperity.
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Trump orders military to prepare plans for ‘action’ in Nigeria
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to potentially deploy military forces to Nigeria, citing concerns over the alleged persecution of Christians by Islamist militant groups. In a social media post on Saturday, Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to address the violence adequately and declared that all U.S. aid to the country would be severed. He described Nigeria as a “now disgraced country” and warned of a swift and forceful military intervention if necessary. Trump also designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the U.S. State Department’s framework for severe violations of religious freedom, though he provided no concrete evidence to support his claims of widespread Christian killings. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu countered these allegations, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to religious tolerance and collaboration with international partners to address security challenges. Monitoring groups, such as Acled, have noted that the violence in Nigeria has affected both Christians and Muslims, with no evidence suggesting disproportionate targeting of Christians. The situation has sparked debate in U.S. political circles, with some right-wing voices urging action. However, critics argue that Trump’s rhetoric risks escalating tensions without addressing the complex root causes of the conflict.
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Hegseth in Vietnam to strengthen defense ties and reassure a cautious partner
HANOI, Vietnam — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived in Vietnam on Sunday, emphasizing the importance of healing the wounds of the Vietnam War as a cornerstone of the bilateral defense relationship. This visit, marking 30 years of diplomatic ties and two years since the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, underscores Washington’s efforts to strengthen ties with a historically cautious ally. Hegseth highlighted that addressing the war’s legacy, which concluded 50 years ago, remains a top priority for the U.S. administration and the Department of Defense. His trip follows a meeting with counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Since the normalization of relations in 1995, the U.S. and Vietnam have collaborated on clearing unexploded ordnance, recovering missing service members’ remains, and cleaning up dioxin contamination from former U.S. air bases. These efforts, though temporarily disrupted by funding cuts, have resumed and are seen as vital to stabilizing bilateral relations. Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, noted that war legacy cooperation provides essential political cover for Vietnam to deepen ties with the U.S. while maintaining its strategic autonomy. Hegseth’s visit comes at a pivotal moment, as Vietnam’s Communist Party chief recently visited North Korea, and reports suggest Hanoi may purchase Russian fighter jets. These moves reflect Vietnam’s hedging strategy amid uncertainties about U.S. reliability in the Indo-Pacific. Despite challenges, Hegseth’s visit signals Vietnam’s deliberate, albeit cautious, deepening of defense ties with the U.S.
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5 German mountaineers die in northern Italy after being hit by avalanche
In a devastating incident, five German climbers lost their lives after being struck by an avalanche in South Tyrol, northern Italy, as confirmed by rescue officials on Sunday. The tragedy unfolded on Saturday afternoon near the Cima Vertana peak in the Ortles mountains, at an elevation exceeding 3,500 meters (11,500 feet). Three victims—two men and a woman—were recovered lifeless on the same day, while the bodies of a man and his 17-year-old daughter were discovered on Sunday morning. According to Federico Catania, a spokesperson for the Alpine rescue team, the victims were swept to the lower section of the gully where the avalanche occurred. Rescue operations were further complicated by deteriorating weather conditions at higher altitudes. The climbers, divided into three independent groups, were ascending the mountain at an unusually late hour, raising questions about their timing. Two survivors were airlifted to a hospital in Bolzano. South Tyrol, renowned for its mountaineering appeal, particularly among German tourists, has witnessed numerous avalanche-related fatalities over the years. The Ortles region, home to the area’s highest peak at 3,905 meters, is a hotspot for such accidents. Experts attribute the rising number of incidents to increased backcountry exploration following fresh snowfall.
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2026 APEC: See you in Shenzhen
The 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting concluded on Saturday in Gyeongju, South Korea, with a significant announcement: Shenzhen, a bustling metropolis in southern China, will host the next APEC summit in November 2026. The handover of the APEC chairmanship was marked by a formal session, where leaders expressed optimism about the future of regional cooperation. Participants interviewed by China Daily shared their enthusiasm for the upcoming event, highlighting their anticipation for enhanced dialogue, strengthened partnerships, and collective efforts toward shared prosperity. Shenzhen, known for its innovation and economic dynamism, is expected to provide a fitting backdrop for these high-level discussions. The announcement underscores China’s continued commitment to fostering international collaboration and economic growth within the Asia-Pacific region.
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Two Louvre heist suspects had prior theft conviction together, Paris prosecutor says
In a significant development in the Louvre jewels heist case, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed on Sunday that two of the suspects had previously been convicted together in a theft case a decade ago. Three of the four alleged members of the heist team are now in custody. The DNA of a 37-year-old man, charged on Saturday, was discovered inside the basket lift used to access the museum’s window. He faces preliminary charges of theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy, with a criminal record showing 11 prior convictions, 10 of which were for theft. Similarly, a 39-year-old suspect, charged on Wednesday, has a record of 15 convictions, including two for theft. Beccuau noted that both individuals were involved in the same 2015 theft case in Paris. A 34-year-old man, suspected of being part of the “commando” team, was also charged this week. Additionally, a 38-year-old woman, the longtime partner of the 37-year-old suspect, was charged with complicity. Beccuau highlighted a certain “closeness” among all suspects. While all four are in custody, Beccuau declined to comment on the progress of recovering the stolen jewels. She emphasized that investigators are exploring all possibilities, including the parallel market for selling the jewelry, which could be used for money laundering or trade. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed optimism about the investigation but acknowledged that recovering the loot might take time. He also noted that at least one perpetrator remains at large, along with those who may have ordered the crime.