In a significant development in the investigation of a fire at a building housing international protection applicants in Drogheda, County Louth, two additional men have been apprehended. The incident, which occurred on 31 October, necessitated the rescue of five individuals, including four children. Earlier, Gardaí (Irish police) had arrested and charged two men in their 20s with arson-related offenses. The latest arrests include a man in his 20s detained in Dublin on Monday and a man in his 40s taken into custody in Drogheda on Tuesday morning. Both individuals are currently held at a Garda station in County Louth. Authorities are urging anyone with pertinent information to come forward as the investigation continues.
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UN Security Council adopts US resolution on Trump’s international ‘board of peace’ in Gaza
The United Nations Security Council has adopted a US-drafted resolution endorsing President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The resolution, passed on Monday, authorizes the establishment of an international stabilization force and a transitional governance body known as the ‘Board of Peace.’ This body, chaired by Trump, will oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and economic recovery while ensuring demilitarization by decommissioning weapons and dismantling military infrastructure. The plan includes a ceasefire and a hostage-release deal, previously agreed upon by Israel and Hamas last month. However, the resolution has sparked controversy in Israel due to its reference to a potential future Palestinian statehood. The Palestinian Authority has expressed support for the resolution, while Hamas-led factions have opposed it, viewing it as a step toward foreign control over Gaza. Russia, a Security Council member with veto power, abstained from the vote, allowing the resolution to pass. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s opposition to a Palestinian state and vowed to demilitarize Gaza by any means necessary.
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‘Not fair’ how South Africa are treated, says coach
South Africa’s assistant coach, Mzwandile Stick, has voiced concerns over what he perceives as unfair treatment of the Springboks following a series of red-card incidents in recent matches. Speaking to reporters in Dublin ahead of South Africa’s Test against Ireland, Stick highlighted the suspensions of key players, including Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert, as evidence of biased officiating. De Jager received a four-game ban for a high tackle on France’s Thomas Ramos, while Mostert was sent off for a shoulder-to-head challenge on Italy’s Paolo Garbisi. Both incidents have sparked controversy, with Stick questioning the consistency of disciplinary decisions. ‘Every week we are losing players, and it’s sad,’ Stick lamented. He also referenced recent bans for South African players Makazole Mapimpi and Jan-Hendrik Wessels in the United Rugby Championship, suggesting a pattern of disproportionate punishment. Stick defended Mostert’s actions, arguing that the tackle was not intentionally dangerous and that the physical nature of rugby sometimes leads to imperfect outcomes. He also criticized the officiating in the match against Italy, claiming that 20 out of 21 decisions in the first half went against South Africa. Despite the controversies, Stick emphasized the Springboks’ commitment to fair play and expressed regret over the impact on Italy’s performance. The Springboks, reigning world champions, continue to face scrutiny as they navigate these challenges on the international stage.
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After Trump reversal, US House pushes forward on Epstein vote
In a significant political development, the US House of Representatives is set to vote on the release of investigative files related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This move follows President Donald Trump’s unexpected reversal of his long-standing opposition to the disclosure. Trump’s change of stance came after a House petition garnered sufficient support to force a vote, marking a rare instance of House Republicans defying the president’s wishes.
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Leonid meteor shower seen in China’s Heilongjiang
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Poland says 2 Ukrainians working for Russia are suspected in railway track blast
WARSAW, Poland — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed on Tuesday that two Ukrainian citizens, allegedly working for Russia, are suspected of orchestrating a railway explosion in Poland over the weekend. Addressing the Sejm, Poland’s lower house of parliament, Tusk described the incident as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” targeting a rail line connecting Warsaw to the Ukrainian border. The suspects, whose identities remain undisclosed due to ongoing investigations, reportedly fled Poland via the Terespol border crossing into Belarus. Tusk emphasized their long-standing collaboration with Russian intelligence services. In a separate but related incident, power lines along the same railway further south were also damaged, which Polish officials have confirmed as sabotage. Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the accusations, labeling them as part of a broader trend of “Russophobia” in Europe. Western officials have accused Russia of staging numerous attacks across Europe since its invasion of Ukraine, aiming to destabilize support for Kyiv and sow division. In response, Poland’s National Security Committee convened with military and intelligence leaders to address the threat. Army patrols have been deployed to secure critical infrastructure in eastern Poland. Prosecutors have launched an investigation into the sabotage, which they described as “acts of terrorism” endangering public safety. The damaged railway sections have since been repaired, and no injuries were reported.
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Priority US visa appointments announced for Fifa World Cup ticket holders
In a significant move to streamline visa processes for international football fans, FIFA and the United States government have introduced a priority visa appointment system for ticket holders of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This initiative, announced on Monday, follows a meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump. The new FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA Pass) aims to simplify visa acquisition, ensuring smoother entry for global fans and enhancing attendance at the tournament. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States across 16 cities, will feature 48 teams, marking an expansion from the traditional 32-team format. Despite concerns over stricter US immigration policies under the Trump administration, ticket sales have remained robust, with over a million tickets sold during FIFA’s initial rollout in October. Infantino emphasized the US’s commitment to welcoming fans worldwide, stating, ‘Football unites the world, and we are preparing to ensure this tournament reflects that spirit.’ US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, highlighting the prioritization of visa interviews to facilitate fan participation in what is anticipated to be the ‘greatest and safest World Cup in history.’
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Schoolgirl escapes as search continues for 24 others abducted in Nigeria
In a dramatic turn of events, one of the 25 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi, Nigeria, has managed to escape and return home safely. The school’s principal, Musa Rabi Magaji, confirmed the news to The Associated Press on Tuesday, stating that the student arrived home late Monday, just hours after the kidnapping occurred. Another student, who was not among the confirmed abductees, also escaped shortly after the attack. Both are reported to be unharmed. The incident took place in the early hours of Monday when gunmen stormed the school, killing a staff member and kidnapping the girls. Security forces have since ramped up efforts to rescue the remaining captives, with Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, personally visiting the school and ordering “intelligence-driven operations” to locate the missing girls. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, but analysts suspect it could be the work of armed gangs known for targeting schools and communities for ransom. This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in northern Nigeria, where mass kidnappings have become increasingly common. Experts attribute the crisis to rampant corruption, inadequate weapon supplies for security forces, and porous borders that facilitate the flow of arms to criminal groups. The kidnapping of schoolchildren, in particular, has been described as a strategic move by gangs to gain widespread attention and leverage.
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Bangladesh remains calm a day after tribunal issues death sentence for ousted prime minister
Dhaka, Bangladesh — Despite a call for a nationwide shutdown by the former ruling party of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s capital and major cities remained calm on Tuesday. The International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death in absentia on Monday for their roles in the violent crackdown on student protests last year. The Awami League, Hasina’s party, dismissed the court’s decision as a “kangaroo court” and urged a nationwide strike. However, life continued as usual on Tuesday, with no closures of services, shops, or schools, though uncertainty loomed over the nation’s future. The protests, which erupted in July and August 2023, were fueled by discontent over a government job quota system allegedly favoring Hasina’s allies. The crackdown resulted in over 800 deaths and 14,000 injuries, according to the interim government. Hasina, 78, was convicted on five counts of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life imprisonment for inciting violence and ordering lethal force against protesters. She and Khan fled to India, which has refused to extradite them, making their execution or imprisonment unlikely. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, criticized the trial, citing concerns over fairness and due process. The sentencing comes as Bangladesh navigates political instability under an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, with elections planned for February.
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UAE weather: Dubai temperatures to drop to 20ºC; fog likely
Residents of the UAE can anticipate a shift in weather patterns this week, with temperatures in Dubai expected to drop to a cool 20ºC. According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the country will experience fair to partly cloudy conditions on Tuesday, November 18, with increased cloud cover in western regions. Humidity is forecast to rise by night and into Wednesday morning, particularly in coastal and internal areas, where mist or fog may form. Across the UAE, temperatures will remain comfortable, not exceeding 33ºC, while Abu Dhabi will see lows of 21ºC. Light to moderate Northeasterly to Northwesterly winds, occasionally freshening over the sea, will sweep the region, with gusts reaching speeds of 10-25kmph and potentially peaking at 40kmph. The Arabian Gulf is expected to experience slight to moderate sea conditions, turning rough westward by evening, while the Oman Sea will remain calm. Residents are advised to stay updated on weather developments and exercise caution in fog-prone areas.