Belgian authorities have detained Egyptian activist Anas Habib and his brother, Tarek Habib, during Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit to Brussels earlier this week. The arrests, reported by Egyptian media, were allegedly linked to accusations that Anas Habib had been surveilling and threatening President Sisi during the EU-Egypt Summit. Habib, a prominent activist, gained international attention in July when he chained the gates of Egypt’s embassy in The Hague, Netherlands, to protest Egypt’s closure of its border with Gaza amid Israel’s military actions in the region. He described the act as symbolic of Egypt’s claim that Israel was responsible for the border closure. Habib later repeated the protest at the Jordanian embassy, criticizing Jordan’s response to the Gaza conflict. In an interview with Middle East Eye, Habib accused the Egyptian regime of complicity in the ongoing crisis, stating, “This is not an accusation; it’s a fact.” Habib, who was previously detained as a political prisoner in Egypt at the age of 15, expressed fears of arrest or death if he were to return to his home country. Egyptian officials have dismissed the embassy incidents as “malicious and suspicious actions” aimed at diverting attention from Israel’s actions in Gaza. Belgian authorities reportedly seized the brothers’ phones and are collaborating with Egyptian officials to investigate the alleged threats. The detentions coincided with the first EU-Egypt summit, where several agreements, including a €4 billion aid package, were signed.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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Ireland’s Connolly set to be president after rival concedes election
Ireland’s political landscape witnessed a significant development as Catherine Connolly, an independent left-wing candidate, is set to become the country’s new president. Her sole rival, Heather Humphreys of the centrist Fine Gael party, conceded defeat on Saturday, according to Irish national broadcaster RTE. Humphreys extended her congratulations to Connolly, acknowledging her imminent landslide victory based on early vote counts. However, the election has been marred by widespread criticism, with many arguing that it offered voters limited choice. Preliminary tallies reveal a record number of spoiled ballots and historically low voter turnout, casting a shadow over the democratic process. The role of the Irish president is largely ceremonial, yet the election’s outcome has sparked debates about voter engagement and the integrity of the electoral system. As Connolly prepares to assume office, the focus shifts to how she will navigate these challenges and represent Ireland on the global stage.
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5.5-magnitude quake jolts Hunchun, NE China’s Jilin province
A significant seismic event occurred in Hunchun, located in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture of Northeast China’s Jilin Province. The earthquake, measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 7:45 pm on Saturday, October 25, 2025, by the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The epicenter was pinpointed at 43.08 degrees north latitude and 131.10 degrees east longitude, with the quake originating at a depth of 560 kilometers. The CENC has confirmed the details, emphasizing the depth and magnitude of the event. Hunchun, known for its proximity to the borders of North Korea and Russia, is a region with a history of seismic activity. The earthquake’s impact on the local population and infrastructure is currently under assessment, with authorities monitoring the situation closely. This event underscores the importance of earthquake preparedness and response strategies in seismically active regions.
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Trump punishes Canada with 10% extra import tax for not pulling down anti-tariffs ad sooner
President Donald Trump declared on Saturday that he intends to impose an additional 10% tariff on Canadian imports in response to a provocative television advertisement aired by the province of Ontario. The ad, which utilized quotes from former President Ronald Reagan to critique U.S. tariffs, reportedly incensed Trump, prompting him to threaten the termination of ongoing trade negotiations with Canada. Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated that the ad would be withdrawn after the weekend, but it aired during the first game of the World Series on Friday night. Trump, aboard Air Force One en route to Malaysia, expressed his outrage on his Truth Social platform, labeling the ad as a ‘FRAUD’ and accusing Ontario of misrepresenting facts. He announced the tariff hike as a direct consequence of what he described as a ‘hostile act.’ Despite both leaders attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Malaysia, Trump confirmed he had no plans to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the event.
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World Laureates Forum awards intl scientific excellence in Shanghai
The World Laureates Forum 2025, held in Shanghai’s Lingang Special Area, celebrated scientific excellence by awarding the prestigious World Laureates Association Prize (WLA Prize) to three distinguished scientists. The event, themed ‘Science in Future,’ brought together approximately 150 scientists from over 10 countries, including Nobel laureates, Turing Award winners, and leading academicians.
The WLA Prize, established in 2021, recognizes exceptional contributions in computer science or mathematics and life science or medicine, with each category offering a substantial award of 10 million yuan ($1.4 million). This year, Richard Schoen, professor emeritus at Stanford University, was honored in the Computer Science or Mathematics category for his groundbreaking work in geometric analysis and differential geometry. Shing-Tung Yau, a renowned mathematician, highlighted Schoen’s pivotal role in unifying geometry, analysis, and physics, which has become a cornerstone of modern mathematics.
In the Life Science or Medicine category, Scott Emr of Cornell University and Wesley I Sundquist of the University of Utah shared the prize for their discoveries in cellular mechanisms related to membrane protein receptor trafficking and degradation. Their work has significantly advanced understanding of virus budding, infection, and HIV drug therapy, leading to the development of a drug that nearly eliminates new HIV infections.
The forum underscored the importance of international collaboration in addressing global scientific challenges, fostering innovation, and inspiring the next generation of researchers.
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Dubai: Woman to pay Dh15,000 after stealing gold necklace
A European woman has been convicted of shoplifting a gold necklace worth Dh10,000 from a Dubai jewellery store and ordered to pay a total of Dh15,000 in fines and compensation. The Dubai Misdemeanours and Violations Court imposed a Dh5,000 fine and an additional Dh10,000 to reimburse the store for the stolen item. The incident occurred in March this year when a store employee noticed the necklace missing shortly after the suspect’s visit. Surveillance footage captured the woman placing the necklace in her handbag and hastily exiting the premises. Police identified the suspect through her vehicle and apprehended her. During interrogation, the woman admitted to taking the necklace but claimed she had no intention of stealing it, citing emotional distress due to her sister’s recent death. Her defence lawyer pleaded for leniency, but the court ruled that the evidence clearly indicated intent to steal. The judge emphasized that the defendant’s actions and the circumstances surrounding the incident demonstrated full awareness of her conduct.
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Trump to meet Qatar’s emir during stop en-route to Malaysia, White House official says
US President Donald Trump is set to hold discussions with Qatar’s Emir and Prime Minister during a refueling stop in Qatar on his way to Malaysia for a regional summit, a White House official confirmed on Saturday. The meeting will take place aboard Air Force One, highlighting the strategic importance of the stopover. Additionally, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will accompany President Trump during this diplomatic engagement. This interaction underscores the ongoing diplomatic ties between the United States and Qatar, particularly in the context of regional security and economic cooperation. The stopover in Qatar serves as a pivotal moment for both nations to address mutual interests and strengthen bilateral relations ahead of the regional summit in Malaysia.
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Dazzling Liuyang fireworks festival sets night sky aglow
The 17th Liuyang Fireworks Festival, held in the heart of Hunan province, China’s renowned fireworks capital, captivated audiences on Friday with a breathtaking opening ceremony. The event, which took place in Liuyang, showcased a mesmerizing fusion of traditional fireworks and cutting-edge technology, including drones, multimedia, and interactive elements. The night sky was transformed into a dynamic canvas of artistic imagery, creating an immersive experience for spectators. The ceremony was divided into five distinct chapters, each designed to highlight the cultural and technological evolution of fireworks. This year’s festival not only celebrated the rich heritage of Liuyang’s fireworks industry but also pushed the boundaries of modern entertainment, leaving attendees in awe of the dazzling spectacle.
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China commemorates 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration
China solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration on Saturday, October 25, 2025, with a significant gathering in Beijing. The event marked the first official Commemoration Day of Taiwan’s Restoration, highlighting the historical significance of Taiwan’s return to China in 1945 after decades of Japanese colonial rule. The ceremony underscored the Chinese government’s unwavering stance on Taiwan as an inseparable part of China, emphasizing the importance of national unity and territorial integrity. High-ranking officials, historians, and representatives from various sectors attended the event, which featured speeches, cultural performances, and exhibitions showcasing the shared history and cultural ties between the mainland and Taiwan. The commemoration also served as a platform to reaffirm China’s commitment to peaceful reunification while addressing the complexities of cross-strait relations in the contemporary geopolitical landscape.
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Solar power after sunset? How Abu Dhabi will deliver round-the-clock renewable energy
Abu Dhabi has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to address one of the most persistent challenges in renewable energy: its intermittent nature. The emirate has launched the world’s first gigascale project capable of delivering continuous baseload power solely from renewable sources. This Dh22-billion facility, set to become operational by 2027, will generate one gigawatt of clean electricity, enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes. The project pairs advanced solar technology with the world’s largest battery storage system, spanning an area comparable to Manhattan and featuring a 19-gigawatt-hour battery. This system will store energy generated during peak sunlight and dispatch it seamlessly through the night and during cloudy days, ensuring uninterrupted power supply regardless of weather conditions. The project, developed by Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company, aligns with the UAE’s vision to decarbonize and innovate. It is expected to create over 10,000 jobs and establish new manufacturing facilities across the UAE. Upon completion, the facility will avoid approximately 5.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to removing over one million cars from the road. This initiative represents a significant leap forward in renewable energy, proving that continuous, reliable power from solar and wind is achievable. It also underscores the UAE’s leadership in global renewable energy development, with Masdar targeting 100 gigawatts of clean energy capacity by 2030.