An American missionary has been abducted in Niger’s capital, Niamey, in a shocking incident that occurred just 100 yards from the presidential palace. The kidnapping took place on Tuesday, according to multiple security sources cited by CBS News, a partner of the BBC. The victim, who has not been officially identified, has reportedly been working with a US-based charity and has resided in Niger since 2010. The circumstances surrounding the abduction remain unclear, with no immediate demands from the kidnappers.
标签： North America
北美洲
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Why Beyond Meat shares have surged 1,000% in four days
Beyond Meat Inc., the pioneer of plant-based burgers, has experienced an extraordinary surge in its stock price, rising approximately 1,000% over just four days. This remarkable rally comes despite the company’s ongoing struggles with sluggish sales and a lack of quarterly profits for over five years. The sudden spike has reignited debates about the frothiness of the stock market, particularly fueled by online enthusiasm among retail investors. The momentum began last week when a Reddit user sparked a wave of purchases, reminiscent of the meme stock rallies seen with GameStop and AMC. The surge was further amplified when Roundhill Investments added Beyond Meat to its meme stock ETF, triggering a short squeeze as investors betting against the company scrambled to cover their losses. Additionally, a newly announced distribution deal with Walmart provided another boost to the stock. However, market strategists caution that the company’s fundamentals remain weak. Mark Hackett of Nationwide noted that while the Walmart deal is a positive catalyst, it doesn’t address all underlying issues. Beyond Meat’s stock, trading at just over $4, is still far below its 2019 peak of $230. This meme stock frenzy occurs against a backdrop of broader market concerns, including fears of an overvalued AI industry and potential market corrections. The Securities and Exchange Commission has also flagged risks tied to meme stock manipulation, though calls for stricter regulations have yet to gain significant traction.
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UK king to be first to pray with pope in five centuries
King Charles III of the United Kingdom is set to make history during his state visit to the Vatican, marking the first public prayer between a British monarch and a pope since the 16th-century schism between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. The visit, which began on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, will see Charles and Queen Camilla meet Pope Leo XIV for the first time since his succession in May following the passing of Pope Francis. This momentous event underscores a significant step in the reconciliation of the two Christian denominations, which have been estranged since King Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church in 1534. The highlight of the visit will be an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, focusing on environmental conservation, a cause close to Charles’s heart. The service will feature a joint choir from the Sistine Chapel and Saint George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, symbolizing unity between Anglican and Catholic traditions. Buckingham Palace described the visit as a pivotal moment in the relationship between the two churches. Additionally, Charles will be honored as a ‘Royal Confrater’ at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, a gesture recognizing the spiritual connection between the denominations. The visit coincides with preparations for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year, a major event that attracts millions of pilgrims. However, the trip occurs amid personal challenges for the king, including new revelations about his brother Prince Andrew’s involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and Charles’s ongoing battle with cancer. Despite these difficulties, the monarch’s visit to the Vatican highlights his commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue and unity.
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Dubai’s Majid Al Futtaim launches discount grocery brand Sava
Dubai-based retail conglomerate Majid Al Futtaim has introduced its new discount grocery brand, Sava, marking a significant expansion in the UAE’s retail sector. The company inaugurated its flagship store in Deira on Wednesday, with a second outlet opening in Murjan Tower at Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR). Two additional stores are set to launch this week, with plans to establish 10 locations across the UAE by the end of the year. This move follows the closure of several Carrefour branches in the region, including one in Al Nahda, Dubai, which is currently undergoing renovation to rebrand as Sava. Majid Al Futtaim has also replaced Carrefour stores in Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan with its new hypermarket brand, HyperMax. However, the company has confirmed that Carrefour operations in the UAE will continue for now. Sava aims to redefine value in grocery retailing, offering over 1,600 products and 160 weekly deals to help customers maximize their budgets without sacrificing quality. Majid Al Futtaim, which operates 29 shopping malls across the Middle East, including Mall of the Emirates and Mall of Egypt, emphasized its commitment to innovation in the grocery retail sector through this launch.
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US strikes alleged drug boat in the Pacific – report
The United States has significantly escalated its counter-narcotics efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean, deploying substantial air and naval assets, as well as troops, to combat drug trafficking in the region. According to CBS, US forces recently targeted another vessel suspected of carrying drugs, this time in the Pacific Ocean. Two US officials reported that two or three individuals aboard the vessel were likely killed in the strike. If confirmed, this would mark the eighth such operation since September 2, and the first in the Caribbean. The BBC has reached out to the White House, Pentagon, and State Department for comments. A leaked memo to US lawmakers revealed that the Trump administration has classified its actions as part of a ‘non-international armed conflict’ against drug-trafficking organizations, several of which have been designated as terrorist groups by the US government. Since the operations began, at least 34 people have been killed, including in a recent strike on a semi-submersible submarine in the Caribbean. Two survivors from that incident were repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador, with Ecuador releasing one individual due to lack of evidence. The other remains hospitalized. President Donald Trump has defended the strikes as essential measures against drug trafficking, while also escalating tensions with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, whom he accused of promoting drug production. Trump announced the cessation of US subsidies to Colombia, a long-standing ally. The Pacific coastlines of Colombia and Ecuador are key transit points for cocaine bound for the US, with the Caribbean also seeing a rise in drug trafficking activity. Despite the deployment of 10,000 US troops and numerous military assets to the region, details about the identities of those killed and their alleged affiliations remain scarce.
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Maine Senate candidate apologises for tattoo that resembles Nazi symbol
Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, has issued a public apology following backlash over a tattoo on his chest that resembles a Nazi symbol. The 41-year-old Marine Corps combat veteran and oyster farmer stated he was unaware of the tattoo’s association with Nazi imagery and has pledged to have it removed. The tattoo, resembling the Totenkopf (German for “death’s head”), became visible in a social media video showing Platner dancing at his brother’s wedding. Platner explained that he got the tattoo in 2007 while serving in Croatia with fellow Marines, choosing the design from a parlor wall during a night of drinking. He emphasized his lifelong commitment to antifascism and expressed regret for the oversight. Genevieve McDonald, his former political director, criticized the tattoo as antisemitic, stating that Platner should have addressed it earlier. Platner has since covered the tattoo with a new design and is seeking removal. The controversy has intensified scrutiny of his social media history, including past Reddit posts downplaying sexual assault in the military and self-identifying as a communist. Platner apologized for these remarks, attributing them to post-war depression and isolation. Senator Bernie Sanders, a prominent supporter, defended Platner, emphasizing his apology and confidence in his campaign. The incident has added complexity to Platner’s bid to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine.
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Chess federation looking into Vladimir Kramnik’s attacks on grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky
The chess world is in mourning following the unexpected death of Daniel Naroditsky, a prominent US grandmaster, just two weeks before his 30th birthday. Naroditsky, affectionately known as ‘Danya’ to his online followers, was a celebrated player, teacher, and commentator who played a pivotal role in popularizing chess through his YouTube and Twitch channels. His death has sparked a wave of grief and controversy, particularly surrounding public accusations of cheating made by former world champion Vladimir Kramnik. The International Chess Federation (Fide) has announced it is investigating Kramnik’s comments, which Naroditsky vehemently denied before his passing. In his final Twitch broadcast, Naroditsky hinted that the relentless scrutiny had taken a toll on him. Kramnik, who has accused multiple players of cheating, described Naroditsky’s death as a ‘tragedy’ and suggested that police should investigate the circumstances. He also indicated plans to take legal action against those blaming him for the situation. Naroditsky’s family, through the Charlotte Chess Center, announced his death without specifying the cause. The chess community, including luminaries like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, has condemned Kramnik’s conduct, with many calling for accountability. Fide has expressed condolences and plans to honor Naroditsky with a special award, recognizing his immense contributions to the game.
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Watch: Trump joins Diwali celebration in White House, calls Modi ‘great friend’
US President Donald Trump marked Diwali with a grand celebration at the White House on Tuesday, extending heartfelt greetings to the people of India and Indian-Americans. During the event, Trump lauded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a ‘great person’ and a ‘great friend,’ emphasizing the strengthening ties between the United States and India in trade and regional peace. Trump revealed that he had a productive phone conversation with Modi earlier in the day, discussing trade relations and the importance of maintaining peace with Pakistan. ‘We talked about trade… and let’s have no wars with Pakistan. That was a very, very good thing,’ Trump stated. He also highlighted the symbolic significance of Diwali, describing it as a festival that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Following his remarks, Trump lit traditional diyas (lamps) to commemorate the occasion. In response, Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude on social media, thanking Trump for his warm wishes and reaffirming the shared commitment of both nations to combat terrorism. The event was attended by senior officials from the Trump Administration, including FBI Director Kash Patel and ODNI Director Tulsi Gabbard, as well as a delegation of prominent Indian-American business leaders. The celebration underscores the cultural importance of Diwali in American society and the deepening relationship between the US and India. Earlier, US Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Brian Fitzpatrick introduced a bipartisan resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize the religious and historical significance of Diwali, reflecting the growing influence of the Indian diaspora in the US. Diwali, a five-day festival, is celebrated with rituals, prayers, and family gatherings, symbolizing prosperity, unity, and the victory of good over evil.
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Canadian University Dubai remains #1 in QS ranking for fifth consecutive year
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has once again clinched the top spot in Dubai’s higher education landscape, marking its fifth consecutive year as the city’s leading institution in the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Arab Region University Rankings. Additionally, CUD has secured the 21st position across the Arab region, solidifying its reputation as a hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, and future-focused academic programs. This achievement underscores the university’s commitment to aligning its educational offerings with the evolving demands of the global workforce. A key driver of CUD’s success is its state-of-the-art Incubator Hub, located in its downtown Dubai campus, which fosters collaboration between academics and industry leaders to mentor and fund the next generation of impactful business ventures. In response to emerging global trends, CUD has introduced cutting-edge academic programs in artificial intelligence, sustainability, public health, and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) designed to cultivate tomorrow’s global leaders. These programs, developed in partnership with industry experts and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, aim to equip students with the skills needed to tackle complex global challenges. Chancellor Buti Saeed Al Ghandi highlighted the university’s dedication to empowering future leaders and innovators, while President Prof. Karim Chelli emphasized CUD’s strategic focus on academic excellence and global partnerships. The QS Arab Region Rankings, launched in 2014, provide a comprehensive evaluation of universities using internationally recognized criteria tailored to the unique context of higher education in the Arab world.
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Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah: Setting new benchmarks in staycations
Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah has emerged as a transformative destination in the UAE, redefining the concept of staycations for both residents and international travelers. Nestled in the picturesque emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, where desert landscapes meet the Arabian Gulf, the resort has quickly become a beacon of ultra-all-inclusive luxury. Its philosophy transcends the traditional notion of ‘all you can eat and drink,’ offering a holistic lifestyle where every detail of a guest’s stay is meticulously curated. With 466 rooms, suites, and villas, the resort ensures an intimate experience despite its scale, catering to families, couples, and groups of friends alike. Families find solace in dedicated spaces like the Rixy Kids Club and Teens Club, while couples enjoy serene moments by the adults-only pool or romantic strolls along the 1.5-kilometre beach. Groups of friends revel in dynamic activities, from sunrise workouts to vibrant evenings at X Lounge, the resort’s nightlife hub. Culinary excellence is a cornerstone of the experience, with 10 globally inspired restaurants offering everything from South American steaks at Toro Loco to authentic Italian pasta at L’Olivo. Entertainment is elevated to new heights, with X Lounge hosting live music and immersive performances. Wellness is seamlessly integrated into the experience, with Naturelife Spa offering Turkish hammams and modern therapies, while the Exclusive Sports Club provides yoga, Pilates, and masterclasses. As Rixos Al Mairid celebrates its first anniversary, it continues to innovate, introducing new wellness concepts, family programs, and entertainment productions. This resort has not only reshaped the narrative of Ras Al Khaimah but also set a new standard for luxury staycations in the UAE and beyond.