标签： North America

The United Arab Emirates is experiencing a significant meteorological event as the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued weather alerts for strong winds exceeding 80km/h and dropping temperatures affecting New Year’s Eve celebrations. The weather authority reported exceptionally high wind velocities on December 30, with Mabreh Mountain recording gusts of 83.8km/h, while Alfarfar and Dhadna regions experienced winds of 78.8km/h and 74.8km/h respectively. These figures substantially exceed the country’s typical wind patterns, where light to moderate winds average 30km/h and strong winds rarely surpass 60km/h.

The NCM has implemented a multi-tiered alert system, including orange and yellow warnings for hazardous marine conditions expected to persist until just after midnight on December 31. Simultaneously, temperatures are forecast to drop significantly, with internal areas anticipated to reach minimum temperatures of 10°C on both December 30 and 31, creating unusually chilly conditions for seasonal celebrations.

The combination of high-velocity winds and low temperatures is generating multiple environmental impacts. Maritime activities face dangerous conditions with rough seas, while terrestrial effects include reduced horizontal visibility due to blowing dust and sand. Authorities have issued specific safety recommendations for residents, advising avoidance of direct exposure during dusty conditions, securing residential openings, and exercising heightened caution while driving.

The meteorological department continues to monitor the situation closely, providing ongoing updates as the unusual weather pattern affects the region during the holiday period.

A recent BBC inquiry into the public sentiment across Canada’s major metropolitan centers reveals a tapestry of cautious optimism as citizens look toward 2026. In street-level interviews conducted in Toronto and Montreal, a diverse cross-section of residents shared their aspirations and concerns for the near future, painting a picture of a nation balancing hope with pragmatic realism.

Beyond superficial New Year’s resolutions, the conversations delved into substantive issues shaping Canadian consciousness. Urban participants frequently cited housing affordability and economic stability as primary concerns, yet many expressed genuine hope that policy measures might begin showing tangible results by 2026. In Montreal, cultural preservation and linguistic identity emerged as significant themes, with residents hopeful about maintaining Quebec’s unique character within the Canadian federation.

The environmental discourse featured prominently in both cities, with many respondents expressing optimism about Canada’s green energy transition and climate adaptation initiatives. This environmental hope was frequently tempered by concerns about the pace of implementation and global cooperation needs.

Intergenerational perspectives revealed striking contrasts, with younger respondents emphasizing technological innovation and digital infrastructure development, while older participants valued healthcare system improvements and pension security. Despite these differing priorities, a common thread of community resilience and national unity emerged across demographics, suggesting that Canadians are navigating contemporary challenges with measured confidence in their collective future.

Southern California’s Mount Baldy has tragically claimed the lives of three hikers during a period of hazardous winter conditions, including a 19-year-old who fell approximately 500 feet (150 meters) while traversing one of the region’s most perilous peaks.

According to Jenny Smith, spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, rescue teams discovered the teenager’s body alongside two additional deceased hikers during search operations. The two other victims were not hiking with the teenager, and investigators have not determined how long they had been deceased on the mountain.

The tragic incident unfolded on December 29th when the teenager, accompanied by a friend, embarked on a hike despite clear visibility across the region. After the fatal fall near the Devil’s Backbone trail, the companion hiked to an area with cellular reception to alert emergency services, providing GPS coordinates that guided rescue teams to the location. The surviving hiker emerged physically unharmed.

Recovery operations faced significant challenges due to severe high winds that prevented helicopter extraction on Monday. The operation was successfully completed on Tuesday when conditions improved sufficiently for crews to retrieve all three bodies.

Mount Baldy, officially named Mount San Antonio, rises 10,064 feet (3,068 meters) in the San Gabriel Mountains and has gained notoriety as one of America’s deadliest peaks. The mountain’s proximity to Los Angeles attracts both experienced mountaineers and ill-prepared novices, creating a dangerous combination especially during unpredictable winter weather.

Authorities revealed that rescue teams have saved five other hikers from the mountain over the past five days alone. Since 2020, the mountain has claimed more than 14 lives, including British actor Julian Sands whose remains were discovered five months after his disappearance in January 2023. During the same period, over 100 individuals have required rescue from the treacherous peak.

In response to the recent tragedies and repeated emergency operations, authorities have temporarily closed all trails on Mount Baldy until the new year. Officials strongly advised against any hiking attempts during current conditions, particularly emphasizing the dangers of the Devil’s Backbone trail which Smith described as ‘one of the most dangerous trails in our area.’

Despite recent precipitation across Southern California, December 29th presented deceptively clear conditions with sunshine and exceptional visibility that extended to Catalina Island. However, Mount Baldy’s weather remains notoriously unpredictable, with conditions rapidly shifting to treacherous ice and snow that require specialized equipment including crampons and ice axes for safe passage.

The identities of the deceased hikers have not been released pending family notifications.

Dubai authorities have completed extensive field inspections of fireworks sites and safety preparations in anticipation of the New Year 2026 celebrations, ensuring comprehensive security measures are in place across multiple venues. The Event Security Committee, under the leadership of Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander in Chief for Operations at Dubai Police, conducted thorough reviews of operational and logistical plans at key locations including Dubai Festival City, Dubai Frame, Al Seef, JBR, and Ain Dubai.

The inspections focused on critical safety aspects including crowd management protocols, traffic flow optimization, emergency response capabilities, and public safety arrangements. During the site visits, Al Mazrouei emphasized the necessity for all operational teams to maintain the highest safety and security standards to guarantee a seamless and secure experience for both residents and visitors during the festivities.

The coordination effort brought together senior officials and committee members representing 55 government, semi-government, and private sector entities involved in New Year operations. Al Mazrouei highlighted that New Year celebrations rank among Dubai’s most significant annual events, attracting hundreds of thousands of onsite attendees and millions of global viewers. He stressed the importance of close collaboration among all partners to preserve Dubai’s international reputation for hosting major events with exceptional safety and efficiency.

Authorities confirmed that inspection activities and coordination efforts will continue through New Year’s Eve to ensure complete readiness across all celebration venues, maintaining Dubai’s commitment to excellence in event security and public safety management.

Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy and prominent climate journalist, has passed away at age 35 following a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia. The tragic news was confirmed through a social media announcement by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation on behalf of her grieving family.

Schlossberg, who had recently welcomed her second child, received her devastating cancer diagnosis in May 2024. In a profoundly moving essay published in The New Yorker last November titled “A Battle With My Blood,” she revealed her prognosis gave her less than a year to live. The climate journalist documented her intensive medical journey, including chemotherapy treatments and a bone marrow transplant, while confronting the heartbreaking reality that her children might grow up without memories of their mother.

Her writing poignantly addressed the emotional weight of introducing another tragedy to a family already marked by profound loss. President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, and her uncle, John F. Kennedy Jr., died in a 1999 plane crash. Schlossberg expressed particular concern for her mother, Caroline Kennedy—former U.S. ambassador to Japan and Australia—writing about her lifelong effort to protect her mother from additional pain and sorrow.

As the daughter of designer Edwin Schlossberg and diplomat Caroline Kennedy, Tatiana had built her own professional identity as an environmental writer, contributing to The New York Times and authoring “Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don’t Know You Have.” Her work focused on making complex climate issues accessible to broader audiences.

The Kennedy family, American political royalty, has now endured another generation of untimely loss, with Tatiana’s passing marking the latest chapter in their very public history of personal tragedies.