देश-विदेश

A massive wildfire has engulfed around 3,000 hectares of forest in Belgium, with flames now moving toward the German border in what authorities describe as the country’s worst recorded forest fire. According to international media reports, firefighters, military personnel, helicopter crews and local farmers are working together to contain the blaze. Strong efforts are underway as the fire continues to threaten forested areas near the German border. Authorities have urged residents who evacuated their homes to remain away for the time being, warning them not to return until officials declare the areas safe. Emergency teams are focusing on preventing the fire from spreading further toward Germany. Helicopters are assisting ground crews by monitoring the flames and supporting firefighting operations in difficult-to-reach areas. Data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) indicates that the blaze is the largest forest fire ever recorded in Belgium. The fire has already affected more than twice the area destroyed by a major wildfire in the country in 2011. The wildfire comes as several parts of Europe face extreme heat and prolonged dry conditions. Rising temperatures, low rainfall and dry vegetation have increased the risk of wildfires across the continent, putting forests, communities and emergency services under growing pressure.

  Iran has publicly confirmed for the first time that three Iranian Air Force pilots who went missing following an attack on a US military base in Qatar on March 2 were captured alive by Qatari forces. According to news agency, a senior Iranian military official has called on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to investigate the condition of the pilots and take steps to secure their release. Brigadier General Mohammad Bagherzadeh, commander of the committee established by the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff to investigate missing personnel, expressed concern over the fate of the pilots in a letter addressed to ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger. According to Bagherzadeh, on March 2, 2026, two Iranian Air Force Su-24 fighter bombers were dispatched toward a US military base in Qatar in response to attacks carried out against Iran. He said both aircraft successfully completed their mission but were targeted by an enemy air defence system while returning, forcing their crews to eject. Four pilots were aboard the two aircraft. One of them, Majid Kazemi, was killed in the incident. His remains were later recovered, transferred to Iran and buried there, according to the Iranian military official. Bagherzadeh said Iran had received information indicating that the other three pilots involved in the incident—Javad Salehi, Abdulhamid Dashtian and Imran Behroishian—had survived and were captured by Qatari forces. In his letter, the Iranian brigadier general criticised Qatar, claiming that six months after the incident, Qatari authorities had failed to respect the rights of the prisoners under international law, including the Geneva Conventions. He said that despite diplomatic efforts and continued communication, Iranian authorities had not been allowed to meet or interview the pilots. He also alleged that the three men had not been permitted to communicate with their families or Iranian officials responsible for following the case. Bagherzadeh said the issue could fall under provisions relating to war crimes and therefore required serious consideration and investigation. He called on the Red Cross to immediately visit the three Iranian pilots in Qatar, assess their health and current condition, inform Iranian authorities about their situation, and assist in securing their immediate release. The Iranian news agency said the disclosure came after months of uncertainty surrounding the fate of the three pilots. On August 1, Iranian military spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said Iran was continuing to pursue the matter. At the time, Qatari authorities maintained that they had no information regarding the missing Iranian air force personnel. According to the Iranian military, the two Su-24 aircraft had taken off from Shahid Doran Air Base in Shiraz. Iranian officials claimed that, despite advanced radar networks and sophisticated air defence systems, the aircraft managed to strike Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which is used by the United States. The Iranian military further claimed that the aircraft were targeted by enemy air defence systems over the Gulf while returning from the mission. Despite heavy ground-based anti-aircraft fire, the operation was reportedly completed successfully. Iranian officials described the mission as a demonstration that the attacking forces could be challenged and said it delivered a clear message to their adversaries. The development follows an earlier statement by Qatar’s Ministry of Defence, which said on March 2 that the Qatari Air Force had shot down two Iranian Su-24 aircraft approaching from Iran. The latest Iranian disclosure could add further diplomatic pressure on Qatar and increase international attention on the status and treatment of the three missing pilots.

  Dameisha Beach, located in Shenzhen, China, is often described as one of the most crowded beaches in the world. The reason behind its reputation is its extraordinary visitor numbers. Despite being only 1.8 kilometres (1.1 miles) long, the beach can attract nearly 200,000 people at a time during particularly busy periods, turning the popular seaside destination into a sea of people. Located in southeastern China, Dameisha Beach is one of Shenzhen’s most famous recreational destinations. Its relatively short stretch of sandy coastline becomes extremely crowded during weekends and public holidays, especially during the summer months. The sheer number of visitors has become such a major concern that local authorities have introduced measures to control the number of people entering the beach. The extent of the crowds can easily be understood by looking at reviews posted by visitors on travel platforms such as TripAdvisor. Some tourists have complained that the beach becomes so overcrowded that it is difficult even to reach the water. Instead of enjoying a peaceful day by the sea, visitors often find themselves surrounded by thousands of other people competing for space on the sand. Since Dameisha is a public beach, it is theoretically open to everyone. However, in recent years, authorities in Shenzhen have introduced restrictions during the peak season, generally from May to October. The number of visitors allowed to enter the beach can be limited to around 80,000 per day in an effort to prevent excessive overcrowding and maintain public safety.   A mandatory reservation system has also been introduced during busy periods. Visitors are required to make a reservation before travelling to the beach on their chosen date. The system allows authorities to monitor the number of people entering the area and prevent the beach from becoming dangerously overcrowded. Although a daily limit of 80,000 visitors may already sound enormous, reports indicate that the beach has witnessed even larger crowds on certain occasions. At times, as many as 200,000 people have reportedly gathered at the same time. With such a massive crowd occupying a relatively small area, simple activities such as walking, swimming or relaxing under the sun can become extremely difficult. One of the major factors contributing to Dameisha Beach’s popularity is its accessibility. The beach is well connected through public transportation, with several bus routes providing convenient access to the area. Even more importantly, a metro station is located directly opposite the beach, making it easy for large numbers of local residents and tourists to reach the destination without relying on private vehicles. Another major attraction is that entry to the beach is free. This makes Dameisha an affordable recreational option for both residents of Shenzhen and visitors from other areas. Its convenient location, free admission and easy access through public transportation have all contributed to its enormous popularity. Despite the negative reviews posted by some visitors about the extreme crowds, Dameisha Beach continues to attract huge numbers of people during the summer season. Images and videos showing thousands of visitors packed tightly along the shoreline frequently circulate on social media, further contributing to the beach’s unusual reputation. For many visitors, the sheer scale of the crowds is itself an extraordinary sight. Dameisha Beach demonstrates how a relatively small public space can become one of the busiest recreational destinations when accessibility, affordability and popularity come together.