标签: Europe

欧洲

  • Three dead and 15 injured in Tenerife tidal surge

    Three dead and 15 injured in Tenerife tidal surge

    Tenerife, a popular holiday destination in Spain’s Canary Islands, has been struck by tragedy as powerful waves claimed three lives and left 15 others injured. Emergency services reported on Sunday that a woman died after being swept into the ocean near the Puerto de la Cruz resort, while a man lost his life in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. A third victim was discovered in the waters near a beach in Granadilla. Rescue teams airlifted a man who fell into the sea at La Guancha in the island’s north, but he later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Another man was found floating near El Cabezo beach in the south, where lifeguards and medical personnel were unable to revive him. At Puerto de la Cruz, a woman died of a heart attack, and 10 others were swept out to sea, with three sustaining serious injuries. Pedro, a local waiter, recounted his heroic efforts to save those in distress, managing to rescue three individuals but tragically failing to save a woman who passed away at the scene. Eyewitness Carlos expressed frustration at tourists ignoring warnings to stay away from the dangerous waves. Authorities have issued alerts for coastal hazards across the Canary Islands, predicting worsening sea conditions with swells reaching two-to-four meters. Both tourists and locals are urged to exercise extreme caution.

  • Summit of EU, Latin America and Caribbean nations aims to strengthen ties amid US military operation

    Summit of EU, Latin America and Caribbean nations aims to strengthen ties amid US military operation

    BOGOTA, Colombia — A pivotal two-day summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU) commenced on Sunday in Colombia, aiming to bolster regional ties amidst escalating tensions over U.S. military operations targeting alleged drug-carrying vessels. However, the summit’s significance has been questioned due to the absence of several high-profile leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Colombian officials attributed these absences to scheduling conflicts with the ongoing United Nations climate summit, emphasizing the participation of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as key attendees. The summit, hosted in Santa Marta, is expected to focus on renewable energy, food security, financing, and technological cooperation, with the signing of the Declaration of Santa Marta as a primary objective. However, the U.S. military operations in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific, which have resulted in over 60 fatalities since September, are likely to dominate discussions. Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a vocal critic of the operations, has condemned the deaths as “extrajudicial executions” and highlighted the involvement of Colombian citizens among the victims. The summit represents a critical opportunity for regional leaders to address the contentious issue of U.S. military deployment, particularly as the United States is not a participant in the event. Brazilian President Lula’s unexpected attendance underscores the summit’s importance, with Brazil’s Foreign Ministry noting that discussions on U.S. military actions in Venezuela and the Caribbean are inevitable. Lula has urged Latin American nations to prevent conflict in Venezuela, drawing parallels to past U.S. involvement in regional peace efforts. The summit’s outcomes remain uncertain, but it serves as a platform for frank dialogue on pressing regional and global challenges.

  • UK sends military experts and equipment to Belgium after drone sightings near airports

    UK sends military experts and equipment to Belgium after drone sightings near airports

    In response to a surge in drone sightings near critical Belgian airports, the United Kingdom has pledged to send military personnel and specialized equipment to assist Belgium. The decision was announced by Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, head of the UK armed forces, following a formal request from Belgian authorities. Recent drone incursions have forced temporary closures at Brussels’ main international airport and Liege, one of Europe’s largest cargo hubs. Additionally, unidentified drones have been spotted near a military base housing US nuclear weapons, raising concerns over national security. Knighton emphasized that while the source of the drones remains unknown, the UK is committed to providing its expertise and resources to address the issue. The deployment of UK assets has already commenced. Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken speculated that some incidents may be part of a sophisticated espionage operation, ruling out amateur involvement. Belgium, home to NATO and EU headquarters, as well as a major financial clearinghouse holding billions in frozen Russian assets, has become a focal point of geopolitical tensions. While many EU nations advocate using these assets to support Ukraine, Belgium has resisted such measures. The drone incidents have underscored the growing security challenges facing Europe, with Russia often implicated in similar occurrences across the continent.

  • King Charles III leads Britain’s Remembrance Sunday ceremony for war dead

    King Charles III leads Britain’s Remembrance Sunday ceremony for war dead

    Under clear skies in London, King Charles III presided over Britain’s annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony, honoring the nation’s war dead. The event, held near the iconic Cenotaph war memorial, saw thousands of military personnel, veterans, and civilians gather in solemn tribute. At precisely 11 a.m., marked by the tolling of Big Ben, the crowd observed a poignant two-minute silence, punctuated by an artillery blast and the haunting notes of “The Last Post” played by Royal Marines buglers. The 76-year-old monarch, adorned in the uniform of an army field marshal, laid a wreath of red poppies at the base of the Cenotaph, a monument erected over a century ago to commemorate those who perished in World War I and subsequent conflicts. The ceremony, held annually on the Sunday closest to November 11, the anniversary of the end of World War I, is replicated across Britain and at UK military bases worldwide. Prince William, heir to the throne, followed his father in laying a wreath, inscribed with the words “the glorious dead.” Other members of the royal family, including Prince Edward, participated, though notably absent was the former Prince Andrew, who was stripped of his titles last month due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, political leaders, and diplomats from Commonwealth nations also paid their respects. Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales observed the ceremony from a balcony. The red poppy, a symbol of remembrance inspired by the World War I poem “In Flanders Fields,” adorned wreaths and lapels, serving as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made.

  • UK military to help protect Belgium after drone incursions

    UK military to help protect Belgium after drone incursions

    The United Kingdom is dispatching military personnel and equipment to Belgium to assist in strengthening its defenses following a series of drone incursions into Belgian airspace, suspected to be orchestrated by Russia. Sir Richard Knighton, the newly appointed head of the UK military, revealed in an interview with BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that Belgium had requested assistance earlier this week. The UK has responded by deploying resources to aid its NATO ally. The incursions, which occurred on Thursday night, forced the temporary closure of Brussels’ Zavantem Airport and were also reported near a military base. While the origin of the drones remains unconfirmed, Sir Richard acknowledged that it is ‘plausible’ they were directed by Moscow. The decision to support Belgium was made in collaboration with UK Defence Secretary John Healey. Germany has also pledged to provide anti-drone measures following a request from Brussels. The disruptions have impacted approximately 3,000 Brussels Airlines passengers, with the carrier incurring significant costs due to flight cancellations and diversions. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken emphasized that the drone incursions, initially perceived as a localized issue, have now escalated into a broader threat affecting civilian infrastructure across Europe. Sir Richard further highlighted Russia as the ‘most pressing threat’ to Europe, citing its ‘barbaric’ actions in Ukraine and its involvement in sabotage and killings on UK soil. Recent months have seen a surge in drone sightings across Europe, including in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, with some officials attributing these incidents to Russian ‘hybrid warfare.’ The Kremlin has denied any involvement. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius suggested that the incursions could be linked to EU discussions about using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Despite the lack of public evidence, suspicions have been fueled by Russia’s increased airspace violations in Eastern Europe, involving fighter jets and larger attack drones. In response, the UK has deployed RAF Typhoon jets to participate in NATO defense missions over Poland, reinforcing the alliance’s eastern flank.

  • 3 dead and 15 injured in tidal surge on Spain’s Canary Islands

    3 dead and 15 injured in tidal surge on Spain’s Canary Islands

    BARCELONA, Spain — A devastating tidal surge on Spain’s Canary Islands has claimed the lives of three individuals and left 15 others injured, according to emergency services. The incidents occurred on Saturday along the coast of Tenerife, where powerful waves swept people into the Atlantic Ocean. Among the victims were a man and a woman who were pulled into the sea in the municipalities of La Guancha, Puerto de la Cruz, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. A third man was discovered lifeless in the waters near a beach in Granadilla. Authorities had previously issued warnings about the hazardous conditions, urging the public to avoid coastal paths and refrain from photographing or filming the turbulent seas to prevent unnecessary risks.

  • Ukrainian strikes disrupt power and heating to 2 major cities in Russia

    Ukrainian strikes disrupt power and heating to 2 major cities in Russia

    In a series of escalating attacks, Ukrainian strikes have disrupted power and heating systems in two major Russian cities near the Ukrainian border, according to local officials. The incidents occurred over the weekend, with drone and missile strikes targeting infrastructure in Voronezh and Belgorod. Voronezh, a city with a population of over 1 million, experienced temporary blackouts and heating cuts after a drone strike caused a fire at a local utility facility. Meanwhile, Belgorod, home to around 340,000 people, suffered significant damage to its power and heating systems, affecting approximately 20,000 households. These strikes are part of a broader pattern of reciprocal attacks on energy infrastructure between Russia and Ukraine, as U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict have failed to make progress. Russia’s defense ministry reported intercepting 44 Ukrainian drones in southwestern regions but did not mention the affected cities. The ongoing conflict continues to strain both nations, with Ukraine targeting Russian oil refineries to cut off Moscow’s war funding, while Russia aims to cripple Ukraine’s power grid, a strategy Kyiv officials describe as an attempt to ‘weaponize winter.’

  • Why France’s ex-President Sarkozy may be released from prison after just 20 days

    Why France’s ex-President Sarkozy may be released from prison after just 20 days

    A Paris court is set to determine whether former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, 70, will be released from prison just 20 days after his incarceration. Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, was sentenced to five years in prison on September 25 for criminal conspiracy related to illegal campaign financing during his 2007 presidential bid. The funds were allegedly sourced from Libya under the regime of Moammar Gadhafi. This marks the first time a former French president has been sentenced to actual prison time in modern history. Sarkozy’s legal team has appealed the conviction and filed for early release, citing Article 144 of France’s criminal code, which favors release pending appeal unless the defendant poses a flight risk or threatens evidence. The court’s decision is expected later on Monday. Sarkozy maintains his innocence, claiming the charges are part of a plot orchestrated by individuals linked to the Gadhafi regime. He also highlights that the court cleared him of three other charges and failed to establish a direct link between the Libyan funds and his campaign. Meanwhile, Sarkozy faces additional legal challenges, including a separate conviction for illegal campaign financing during his 2012 reelection bid and an ongoing investigation into alleged witness tampering in the Libya case. His wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, has also been implicated in the latter.

  • ‘Did you give a lift to a hitchhiker?’ – appeal over 1995 Jo Jo Dullard disappearance

    ‘Did you give a lift to a hitchhiker?’ – appeal over 1995 Jo Jo Dullard disappearance

    In a renewed effort to solve a decades-old mystery, Gardaí (Irish police) have issued a fresh appeal for information regarding the disappearance of Josephine “Jo Jo” Dullard, who vanished 30 years ago. The 21-year-old was last seen on November 9, 1995, in Moone, County Kildare, after hitching a ride from Naas. Her case, initially treated as a missing persons investigation, was upgraded to a murder inquiry in 2020. Gardaí are urging anyone who may have encountered Jo Jo or has any relevant information to come forward, particularly those who may have offered her a lift or were hitchhiking in the area at the time. The investigation has been a long and painful journey for Jo Jo’s family, who have endured decades of uncertainty. Jo Jo’s last known interaction was a phone call to her friend, Mary Cullinan, at 23:37 on the night of her disappearance, during which she mentioned a car had stopped to offer her a ride. She was reported missing the following morning by her sister, Kathleen. Over the years, her sister Mary Phelan has tirelessly campaigned for answers, and in 2008, a €10,000 reward was offered for information. Despite numerous appeals and searches, including recent efforts along the Wicklow-Kildare border, the case remains unsolved. Gardaí have emphasized that any piece of information, no matter how small, could be crucial in bringing closure to Jo Jo’s family.

  • Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo

    Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo

    In an unexpected twist of fate, 15-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux became an international sensation after an Associated Press photo captured him at the Louvre during the infamous crown jewels heist. Dressed in a vintage three-piece suit, fedora, and a restored Russian watch, Pedro’s appearance sparked widespread intrigue and speculation. The image, which garnered millions of views, led to theories ranging from him being a detective to an AI-generated figure. Pedro, a fan of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, chose to remain silent, allowing the mystery to unfold. In an exclusive interview with AP, he revealed that his style is inspired by 20th-century history and black-and-white imagery of statesmen and fictional detectives. Despite the viral fame, Pedro remains grounded, embracing his unique fashion sense and the unexpected spotlight. His story highlights the power of imagery and the allure of mystery in the digital age.