A severe snowstorm has left nearly 1,000 individuals stranded on the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet, prompting a large-scale rescue operation. Chinese state media reported that hundreds of local villagers and rescue teams have been mobilized to clear snow obstructing access to the area, which lies at an altitude exceeding 4,900 meters (16,000 feet). The heavy snowfall, which began on Friday evening, intensified over the weekend, causing tents to collapse and leaving some hikers suffering from hypothermia. The Tibet Blue Sky Rescue team responded to distress calls, and some tourists have already been rescued. In response to the crisis, the Tingri County Tourism Company has suspended ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area. The region is currently experiencing extreme weather conditions, with neighboring Nepal also facing devastating floods and landslides that have claimed at least 47 lives. Meanwhile, Typhoon Matmo has made landfall in China, forcing the evacuation of approximately 150,000 people. Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak at over 8,849 meters, remains a perilous destination for climbers, with recent years marked by overcrowding, environmental degradation, and fatal climbing incidents.
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Babiš is back: Billionaire’s return steers Czechia away from Ukraine and toward Hungary and Slovakia
In a dramatic political comeback, billionaire Andrej Babiš and his ANO movement have secured their most significant electoral victory since their inception in 2011. This triumph marks a pivotal moment in Czech politics, as Babiš, often compared to former U.S. President Donald Trump, has reasserted his influence despite earlier setbacks. His populist rhetoric, which blames the ruling coalition for issues ranging from the energy crisis to inflation, resonated deeply with voters. Babiš has pledged to reverse the controversial increase in the state pension age and halt aid to Ukraine, while mocking Prime Minister Petr Fiala for his pro-Ukraine stance. This victory not only solidifies Babiš’s political career but also signals a potential shift in Czechia’s foreign policy, aligning it more closely with pro-Russian nations like Hungary and Slovakia. Babiš has already announced plans to abandon a Czech initiative that supplies artillery shells to Ukraine and opposes NATO’s increased defense spending commitments. Domestically, Babiš faces ongoing legal challenges, including fraud charges related to EU subsidies, and must navigate a fragmented parliament to form a stable government. His return to power raises questions about the future of Czechia’s relationship with the EU and NATO, as well as the stability of its domestic policies.
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Al-Shabab militants dress as soldiers to storm Somali jail
A daring assault by seven al-Shabab militants on a high-security prison in Mogadishu, Somalia, culminated in the death of all attackers, according to the Somali government. The incident unfolded on Saturday evening at Godka Jilicow, a detention facility housing al-Shabab militants, located near the presidential palace in the heart of the capital. The attack began with a massive explosion and intense gunfire, drawing immediate attention to the area. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility, stating they had freed ‘all Muslim prisoners’ and inflicted significant casualties on the guards. The militants reportedly disguised themselves as soldiers to gain access to the prison, as reported by the government-run news agency Sonna Live. While the government did not disclose the number of security personnel killed, it expressed condolences to the families of ‘the fallen heroes.’ The attack raises serious questions about the effectiveness of security measures in one of Mogadishu’s most heavily guarded areas. Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group, has been waging a violent insurgency against the Somali government for nearly two decades. The incident occurred hours after the government reopened key roads in Mogadishu, citing improved safety conditions. This attack underscores the persistent threat posed by al-Shabab and the challenges faced by Somali security forces in maintaining stability.
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Georgia’s prime minister says protesters want to topple his government and vows a further crackdown
Georgia’s political landscape is in turmoil as Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the opposition of attempting to overthrow his government, following a landslide victory by his ruling Georgian Dream party in local elections. The elections, held on Saturday, were boycotted by the two main opposition blocs, who dismissed the process as illegitimate. Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tbilisi, decrying the government’s repressive policies and its perceived alignment with Moscow. The protests, which have persisted since Georgian Dream halted EU accession talks last November, were met with a heavy-handed response, including the use of water cannons and tear gas by riot police. Kobakhidze, in a press briefing on Sunday, vowed to intensify the crackdown on dissent, labeling the opposition as ‘foreign agents’ and accusing EU officials of meddling in Georgian politics. The EU, however, condemned these allegations, emphasizing the importance of democratic values and urging the release of arbitrarily detained activists. The political unrest has raised concerns about Georgia’s democratic trajectory, with critics pointing to the government’s increasingly authoritarian tactics, including laws targeting demonstrators, NGOs, and independent media. The absence of major international election observers further underscored the contentious nature of the vote, as Georgian Dream’s dominance in the political arena continues to fuel widespread discontent.
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Norwegian oats win world porridge championship
In a remarkable display of culinary innovation, Sven Seljom from Norway has emerged victorious at the prestigious World Porridge Making Championship, held annually in Carrbridge, Scotland. Seljom, a first-time competitor, clinched the coveted Golden Spurtle trophy by infusing his own unique twist into the traditional Scottish dish. His winning creation featured Norwegian Black Oats, sea salt, and water, ingredients he brought from his homeland. This year’s competition saw 30 participants from 14 countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Finland, showcasing their porridge-making prowess. Seljom, upon being crowned champion, expressed his pride, stating, ‘This is a great honour.’ He revealed that his inspiration to compete stemmed from hearing about the event on Norwegian radio years ago, which piqued his interest due to its distinctive nature. The black oats used in his dish are an ancient grain that was once widely cultivated across Europe but nearly vanished in the 1800s. Seljom shared his meticulous preparation process, explaining that he experimented with various steel-cut oats and sourced his ingredients from an organic farm, soaking them for 24 hours prior to the competition. Meanwhile, the award for the best specialty porridge went to Australian food stylist Caroline Velik, who impressed the judges with her porridge jaffles—a yoghurt flatbread filled with rum bananas, Bundaberg banana toffee rum liqueur, oatmeal, and waffle seeds, all coated in Davidson plum sugar. Porridge Chieftain Alan Rankin praised the high standard of this year’s entries, noting the event’s continued growth and success.
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Balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes over Lithuania closed Vilnius Airport for hours
In a startling incident late Saturday, up to 25 small hot-air balloons, some confirmed to be transporting smuggled cigarettes, infiltrated Lithuanian airspace, prompting the temporary shutdown of Vilnius Airport and causing significant flight delays. The disruption affected 30 flights and approximately 6,000 passengers, according to Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Center. Operations resumed at 4:50 a.m. on Sunday. While the balloons were primarily used for smuggling, the incident has heightened concerns in Europe about airspace security, particularly in the wake of recent NATO airspace violations. Some officials have suggested these intrusions may be part of Moscow’s strategy to test NATO’s readiness. Lithuania and other Baltic states remain on edge, especially after a Russian-made drone entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus on July 10 and crashed in Vilnius County. Another drone, carrying an explosive device, was discovered at a military training ground on July 28. In response, Lithuania’s parliament has authorized its armed forces to shoot down unauthorized drones. Border police recovered 11 balloons and approximately 18,000 packs of smuggled cigarettes, with two balloons flying directly over Vilnius Airport. Darius Buta, a spokesperson, noted that Belarusian smugglers are increasingly using balloons due to their lower cost compared to drones. Similar incidents, though on a smaller scale, were reported in August. Last year, Lithuanian authorities intercepted 966 balloons from Belarus, with 544 recorded so far this year. Buta emphasized that while smuggling balloons and drones are criminal activities, they are not acts of sabotage or provocation.
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Man dies following assault in Carrick-on-Suir
A tragic incident unfolded in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland, on Saturday night, resulting in the death of a man following an assault. Gardaí (Irish police) and emergency services were called to a residential property at approximately 23:00 local time, where they discovered the man unresponsive. Despite immediate efforts, he was later pronounced dead at the scene. The area has been cordoned off for a thorough forensic examination to gather evidence. A woman in her 20s has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently in custody at a garda station in Tipperary. Authorities have notified the coroner and requested the assistance of the Office of the State Pathologist to aid in the ongoing investigation. The community remains in shock as details of the case continue to emerge.
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Wafcon expands to 16 teams for 2026 finals
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has announced a significant expansion of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), increasing the number of participating teams from 12 to 16 starting from the 2026 edition. This decision marks a pivotal moment for women’s football on the continent, reflecting Caf’s commitment to fostering growth and inclusivity in the sport. The upcoming 2025 tournament in Morocco will still feature 12 teams, with the qualifying process already in its final round. However, the expansion will necessitate an additional preliminary round, where 11 nations will compete for the remaining four spots. Further details are expected to be unveiled following discussions at Caf’s executive committee meeting in Kinshasa. Since its inception in 1998, Wafcon has evolved from an eight-team competition to its current 12-team format, which resumed in 2022 after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Caf’s investment in women’s football has been substantial, with this year’s tournament in Morocco seeing a 45% increase in the prize pool to $3.45 million. Nigeria, the reigning champions, were awarded $1 million for securing their record-extending 10th title. Caf President Patrice Motsepe expressed optimism about the progress made in women’s football, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation and career opportunities for female athletes. ‘I am pleased with the progress we’ve made in women’s African football,’ Motsepe stated. ‘Part of my starting point is making sure [men and women] are paid well and they can make a career out of football. I can assure you women’s football will continue to improve because that is an area we are focusing on a lot.’
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Meghan makes surprise appearance at Paris Fashion Week
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, made a notable appearance at Paris Fashion Week on Saturday, marking her first attendance at the prestigious event in over a decade. The 44-year-old former actress attended the Balenciaga show to support Pierpaolo Piccioli, the fashion house’s new creative director, with whom she has collaborated on several designs in the past. A spokesperson for Meghan emphasized that her presence was a gesture of support for Piccioli’s ‘new creative chapter’ at Balenciaga.
Meghan, who traveled solo across the Atlantic for the event, was photographed greeting prominent figures such as Anna Wintour, Vogue’s global editorial director, and film director Baz Luhrmann. She showcased her signature style in a white wide-leg trouser and matching blazer ensemble from the Balenciaga collection, complemented by black pointed-toe heels and a sleek bun. Later, she was seen in a sophisticated black dress, further highlighting her fashion-forward approach.
Her Instagram story documented her journey to the event, offering fans a glimpse of her Parisian adventure. Paris Fashion Week, which runs until Tuesday, features renowned brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, and Hermès.
Meghan’s appearance at the event underscores her continued influence in the fashion world. Recently, she starred in a Netflix series discussing her ‘high-low’ fashion philosophy, blending designer pieces with accessible styles. Earlier this year, she launched a digital shop, allowing fans to purchase her favorite clothing, accessories, and jewelry.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who reside in Montecito, California, with their two children, Archie and Lilibet, have maintained a busy schedule. Meghan last visited the UK in September 2022 for a charity event and remained in the country following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. Prince Harry, meanwhile, has been involved in legal battles over security arrangements in the UK and recently met with his father, King Charles III, amid rumors of reconciliation.
Meghan’s Paris Fashion Week appearance not only highlights her enduring connection to the fashion industry but also her ability to balance personal style with global influence.
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Poland scrambles jets as Russia strikes western Ukraine
In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia launched a series of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine overnight, targeting key western cities including Lviv and Zaporizhzhia. The strikes, which occurred from Saturday into Sunday morning, prompted neighboring Poland to scramble fighter jets to safeguard its airspace, with NATO allies also deploying aircraft. Lviv’s regional head, Maksym Kozytskyi, reported two fatalities and two injuries in the region, while Zaporizhzhia’s mayor confirmed one death and widespread power outages affecting over 73,000 residents. The attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have intensified, leaving parts of Lviv without electricity and disrupting public transport. Ukrainian Air Force warnings placed the entire country under air raid alerts, with Russia’s aggression extending to the eastern Donbas region, which it has largely controlled since its 2022 invasion. Meanwhile, NATO member Lithuania briefly closed its airspace after unidentified objects were spotted, echoing recent incidents in Denmark, Norway, and Germany. The latest developments follow a statement by US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg, who affirmed US support for Ukraine’s potential deep strikes within Russian territory, signaling a potential shift in the conflict’s dynamics.