A tragic incident unfolded off the coast of County Donegal, Republic of Ireland, when a fisherman in his 40s lost his life after falling overboard. The event occurred at approximately 13:25 local time near Arranmore on Tuesday. Despite being airlifted to Sligo University Hospital by the Garda (Irish Police), the man was pronounced dead upon arrival. According to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, the deceased was not originally from Ireland but had been a long-term resident of Greencastle, Inishowen. A spokesperson from the Department of Transport revealed that the Coast Guard marine rescue coordination centre in Malin swiftly responded to a mayday call from the vessel. The crew of the fishing vessel managed to recover the man from the water. In the aftermath, a technical examination of the vessel has been conducted, and both the Marine Casualty Investigation Board and the Health and Safety Authority have been notified to investigate the incident further.
标签： Europe
欧洲
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Turkey temporarily grounds C-130 planes after crash kills 20 military personnel
In response to a tragic crash in Georgia that resulted in the deaths of 20 military personnel, Turkey has announced the temporary suspension of its C-130 military cargo planes. The Defense Ministry revealed on Thursday that the decision was made as a precautionary measure, with all C-130 aircraft undergoing thorough technical inspections before being cleared for future operations. The ill-fated flight was en route from Ganja, Azerbaijan, to Turkey when it crashed in Georgia’s Sighnaghi municipality, near the Azerbaijani border, on Tuesday. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The victims were part of a maintenance unit responsible for Turkish F-16 jets that had participated in Azerbaijan’s Victory Day celebrations, commemorating the country’s 2020 military triumph over Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Turkey has dispatched an investigation team to the crash site, and the plane’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been sent to Ankara for analysis. The aircraft, acquired from Saudi Arabia in 2012 and modernized in 2022, had recently undergone maintenance on October 12. The ministry confirmed no ammunition was on board at the time of the crash. Debris was scattered across multiple locations, and the remains of the 20th victim were recovered on Thursday. Funerals will be held after the remains are repatriated and autopsies completed.
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UK growth slows down to a crawl in Q3 ahead of crucial budget
The UK economy experienced a significant slowdown in the third quarter of the year, with growth nearly grinding to a halt, according to official data released on Thursday. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a mere 0.1% increase in GDP between July and September, a sharp decline from the 0.3% growth recorded in the previous quarter and below market expectations of 0.2%. This sluggish performance comes as a blow to the British government, which is preparing to unveil a critical budget in less than two weeks, widely anticipated to include tax hikes. A major factor behind the disappointing figures was a cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the UK’s largest automaker. The attack, which occurred on August 31, forced the company to halt production and send workers home, disrupting operations until October. The shutdown had a ripple effect across the UK automotive sector, with industrial output falling by 2% in September and car manufacturing plummeting by 28.6%, the steepest decline since April 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic challenges were further compounded by rising unemployment, which reached 5%, the highest level in four years. Treasury Chief Rachel Reeves acknowledged the difficult economic backdrop, attributing it to international factors such as US tariffs and global uncertainty. She hinted at potential tax increases in the upcoming budget to address public finance shortfalls, including a possible rise in the basic rate of income tax—a move not seen in the UK for 50 years. The government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, faces mounting pressure as it grapples with declining public support and negative favorability ratings just 18 months into its term.
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France honors the victims of the Paris attacks’ night of terror 10 years on
A decade after the harrowing terrorist attacks that shook Paris on November 13, 2015, the city paused to honor the 132 lives lost and the hundreds injured in a series of coordinated assaults. The attacks, carried out by nine Islamic State militants, targeted the Stade de France, café terraces, and the Bataclan concert hall, leaving indelible scars on the nation’s psyche. On Thursday, President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo led a series of commemorative events at each attack site, culminating in a moment of silence and the unveiling of a new memorial garden, the Jardin du 13-Novembre. The garden, designed in collaboration with victims’ associations, features granite stelae bearing the names of the deceased, alongside symbolic plantings and spaces for reflection. The Eiffel Tower was illuminated in the colors of the French flag, and a minute of silence was observed at France’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. Survivors, including Arthur Dénouveaux, who escaped the Bataclan, spoke of the enduring emotional toll, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to rebuild lives while preserving the memory of those lost. The 2021–2022 trial of the attackers, which resulted in life imprisonment for Salah Abdeslam and convictions for 19 others, provided a measure of accountability but underscored the lasting impact of the tragedy. The commemorations aimed to honor the victims, celebrate the resilience of survivors, and protect the ordinary joys of life that the attackers sought to destroy.
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Russia’s attacks have ramped up – Ukraine is fighting to hold on through another winter
As the war in Ukraine drags into its fourth year, the country faces an unprecedented crisis: a long, cold winter compounded by relentless Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure. Families like Oksana Zinkovska-Boyarska’s, living in a Soviet-era apartment block on the outskirts of Kyiv, are already enduring daily power cuts, failed heating systems, and the constant threat of air raids. Oksana’s family relies on a costly €2,000 rechargeable battery pack to keep essential appliances running, but even this is a temporary solution. Her husband, Ievgen, a lawyer, often works by torchlight, while their two-year-old daughter, Katia, plays by candlelight. The psychological toll is immense, with Oksana describing the ‘animal fear’ of rushing to shelters during explosions. Across Ukraine, millions are bracing for even tougher times ahead. Recent massive drone and missile strikes have left much of the country without power for up to 16 hours a day. With winter temperatures expected to plummet to -20°C, Ukrainian officials warn of a ‘brutal’ season ahead. Maxim Timchenko, CEO of Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, asserts that Russia’s goal is the ‘complete destruction of Ukraine’s energy system.’ European envoys suggest this strategy aims not only to freeze Ukrainians but also to cripple the economy by disrupting factories, bakeries, and daily life. On the front lines, the situation is equally dire. The eastern city of Pokrovsk is at risk of falling to Russian forces, which would provide a strategic boost to Moscow’s campaign in the Donetsk region. Diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled, with talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on hold. Meanwhile, European nations debate how to use €180 billion in frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Despite the grim outlook, Ukrainians remain resilient. Recent polls show that 56% of citizens feel optimistic about the country’s future, up from 43% in May. For Oksana and her family, the struggle is personal but shared. ‘We can hold on for as long as the front needs it,’ she says, echoing the determination of a nation determined to survive and prevail.
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France wary of enemy that never went away, 10 years after Bataclan attacks
As France commemorates the 10th anniversary of the devastating Bataclan massacre, the nation is reminded of the persistent threat of jihadist violence. The arrest of Maëva B, a 27-year-old French convert to Islam and former associate of Salah Abdeslam, underscores the enduring danger. Abdeslam, the sole surviving jihadist from the 2015 attacks, is serving a life sentence. Investigations revealed that Maëva B had been in contact with Abdeslam and was allegedly planning her own jihadist attack, leading to her arrest alongside two associates. The Bataclan attacks, which claimed 130 lives and left hundreds injured, remain a symbol of extreme Islamist violence in France. Despite the decline of the Islamic State (IS) as a major force, the threat has evolved into what experts term ‘ambient jihadism,’ fueled by social networks and geopolitical tensions. France’s political instability further exacerbates the risk, as extremists gain influence. Commemorations include the lighting of the Eiffel Tower in the French tricolor and the opening of a memorial garden. Meanwhile, Abdeslam’s offer to participate in ‘restorative justice’ has sparked controversy, with some survivors rejecting the notion that terrorism can be equated with common crimes.
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Sotheby’s says a diamond brooch lost by Napoleon as his forces fled Waterloo sells for $4.4 million
A historic diamond brooch once owned by French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, lost during his retreat from the Battle of Waterloo in the early 19th century, was sold for over 3.5 million Swiss francs (approximately $4.4 million) at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva on Wednesday. The exquisite piece, which doubles as a pendant, features a 13-carat oval diamond encircled by smaller cut diamonds. The final sale price far exceeded the pre-sale estimate of 200,000 francs, with the hammer price alone reaching 2.85 million francs, excluding additional fees. The brooch was discovered among Napoleon’s personal belongings in carriages delayed by muddy roads during his escape from British and Prussian forces. For over two centuries, the jewel remained part of the Prussian Royal House of Hohenzollern’s heirlooms. Sotheby’s did not reveal the seller’s identity but confirmed the buyer as a private collector. The auction also featured other notable items, including a 132-carat green beryl reportedly worn by Napoleon at his 1804 coronation, which sold for 838,000 francs. The sale gained added significance following the recent theft of Napoleonic jewels from the Louvre in Paris. Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds, noted the brooch’s historical allure and its timing amidst renewed global interest in Napoleonic artifacts. Later that day, Sotheby’s hosted a high jewelry auction featuring a 10-carat pink diamond, the ‘Glowing Rose,’ expected to fetch around $20 million.
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Vatican bank rehires couple fired for violating workplace marriage rule
In a significant turn of events, a married couple previously dismissed from the Vatican bank for violating an internal rule prohibiting workplace marriages has been reinstated following a negotiated settlement. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the union representing Vatican lay employees. Silvia Carlucci and Domenico Fabiani, who had filed a wrongful termination lawsuit in January, were married on August 31, 2024, and faced dismissal shortly thereafter. The union hailed the settlement as ‘a victory of common sense,’ though details regarding their return to work and specific roles remain undisclosed. The couple, who share three children from previous relationships, refused to cancel their wedding despite the bank’s suggestion that one of them resign. Financial obligations, including child support, alimony, and a new mortgage, made this option unfeasible. The union emphasized that while the settlement marks a positive outcome, it is incomplete as Vatican procedures do not provide for the reimbursement of legal fees for the prevailing party. The union also highlighted the lack of social support during the couple’s legal battle and criticized the regulation that led to their dismissal, noting it would be deemed unconstitutional in Italy. The couple has not publicly commented on the settlement but had previously expressed hope for intervention from the late Pope Francis, given his strong emphasis on family values.
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Major corruption scandal engulfs top Zelensky allies
In a significant development, Ukraine’s Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko have resigned following a major corruption investigation in the country’s energy sector. President Volodymyr Zelensky called for their removal on Wednesday, just days after anti-corruption bodies accused several individuals of orchestrating a massive embezzlement scheme, including at the national nuclear operator Enerhoatom. The scandal has implicated close associates of Zelensky, raising questions about his administration’s commitment to anti-corruption reforms. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sap) revealed that the 15-month investigation uncovered the involvement of four government members, with approximately $100 million laundered and transferred abroad, including to Russia. The funds were allegedly funneled through an office in Kyiv linked to the family of former Ukrainian lawmaker and current Russian senator Andriy Derkach. The scandal has erupted amidst escalating Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, further complicating the nation’s efforts to secure its energy supply. This incident also highlights the persistent issue of corruption in Ukraine, despite the efforts of Nabu and Sap over the past decade. Earlier this year, nationwide protests erupted over changes that threatened the independence of these anti-corruption bodies, leading to concerns about Ukraine’s EU candidacy status. While Zelensky eventually reinstated their independence, the latest scandal has reignited doubts about his dedication to combating corruption.
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Woman found guilty of murdering two men in 2014
A 46-year-old woman, Ruth Lawrence, has been convicted of the 2014 murders of two men, Eoin O’Connor and Anthony Keegan, in County Meath. The victims, aged 32 and 33 respectively, were discovered shot dead on Inchicup Island in Lough Sheelin, five weeks after they went missing. Lawrence, who resided in St Patricks Cottage, Mountnugent, denied the charges but was found guilty by a majority verdict after nearly 14 hours of jury deliberation. She faces a mandatory life sentence, with sentencing scheduled for December 8. The victims’ families were present in court and were visibly emotional as the verdict was announced. The trial revealed that O’Connor, a Dublin drug dealer, had drugs stolen from him six days prior to his murder. He had sold drugs to Lawrence’s South African boyfriend, Neville van der Westhuizen, who owed him €70,000. Prosecutors stated that Lawrence shot O’Connor in the stomach, which was not fatal, and van der Westhuizen then shot him in the head. Anthony Keegan, who arrived with O’Connor, was shot in the neck and head. The prosecution argued that the murders occurred in a field near Patrick’s Cottage, with the bodies later moved to the island. The last call between O’Connor and van der Westhuizen on April 22, 2014, suggested a specific meeting point. Garda Det Sgt Kevin O’Brien testified that the couple fled to South Africa after the murders. Lawrence was extradited to Ireland in May 2023, while van der Westhuizen is serving a 15-year sentence in South Africa for unrelated crimes. His extradition to Ireland is pending the completion of his current sentence.