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Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets Red Cross official

Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with Arnaud de Baecque, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) resident representative, in her first publicised meeting with a foreign official since the 2021 military coup.

Government-released photographs show the 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner in Naypyitaw alongside images of her celebrating her June birthday under house arrest, where she is currently serving an 18-year sentence following commuted convictions.

While Myanmar authorities maintain Suu Kyi is in good health, international bodies and her opposition supporters continue to demand her unconditional release and independent verification of her well-being.

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    UAE to charge music licensing fees at cafes, hotels and malls

    DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates is set to introduce licensing fees for playing music at cafes, hotels, malls and other commercial venues. According to UAE authorities, a music licence will be required for commercial use of music from December. The new fee will apply to businesses and commercial establishments that play music for customers. The licence will remain valid for one year. Businesses will be required to renew it annually to continue using music commercially. Authorities said educational institutions and government organisations will be exempt from the licensing fee. Non-commercial events will also not be required to pay the fee. The new licensing system has been introduced to protect the copyright and intellectual property rights of singers and other music creators. Officials said the system is intended to ensure that artists and rights holders receive appropriate protection when their music is used commercially. Authorities have also warned that action may be taken against establishments that play music without obtaining the required licence. The new rules are expected to affect a wide range of commercial venues across the UAE, including hospitality and retail businesses.

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    War leaves Gaza zoo animals malnourished

    GAZA/CAIRO: The war in Gaza has taken a heavy toll on animals, with shortages of food, medicine and vaccines leaving many of them weak and malnourished. At a zoo near the Nuseirat refugee camp, visitors found animals showing clear signs of the difficult conditions. A lion remained largely inactive inside its cage, while chimpanzees sat quietly in their enclosure. The zoo is being operated by Mahmoud Gomaa, who has worked to keep the animals alive despite the continuing crisis. He previously ran a zoo in Rafah but was forced to leave the area after Israeli military operations reached the city in 2024. Gomaa said saving the animals became a priority for him during the war. He moved the surviving animals from one location to another before eventually settling in Nuseirat, where he reopened the zoo earlier this year. He said he had faced enormous difficulties in finding food and providing basic care for the animals. Before the war, Gaza had several zoos that housed wild and exotic animals. The conflict, however, has made maintaining such facilities extremely difficult. Veterinarians say the shortage of suitable food has affected the animals’ health. Some zoo owners have been forced to feed animals frozen meat because fresh food is difficult to obtain. The war has also caused direct losses among Gaza’s animals. When Gomaa left Rafah, he said he had to abandon three lions, several crocodiles and African ostriches. When he later returned, he found only the bones of the crocodiles and ostriches. The lions had also disappeared. Animal welfare experts say the impact of war extends beyond food shortages and physical injuries. Continuous explosions, aircraft noise and fighting can cause severe stress among animals. Veterinarian Amir Khalil, who has visited Gaza with the animal welfare organisation Four Paws, said animals can detect sounds and disturbances that humans may not notice. He said the constant conflict creates fear and extreme stress for them. Despite the harsh conditions, the zoo has become a temporary place of relief for some children. Children visiting the facility were able to interact with parrots and smaller monkeys. For many, it offered a rare opportunity to step away from the destruction surrounding them. Residents say children have few places left where they can play. Large parts of Gaza have been reduced to rubble, while many families continue to live in tents. The zoo therefore serves a purpose beyond displaying animals. It provides children with a brief moment of normality amid a devastating humanitarian crisis. Yet keeping the facility operating remains a major challenge. Limited supplies, damaged infrastructure and the continuing conflict threaten both the animals and the people caring for them.

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    Security official martyred, 6 injured in Mastung r…

    QUETTA: A security official was martyred and six others were injured when an explosive device targeted a security convoy in Khad Kocha, Mastung district, on Saturday, police said. According to officials, the bomb had been planted near Gro in the Khad Kocha area along the Quetta-Karachi National Highway. It was detonated as security vehicles passed through the area, striking one of the vehicles. A senior police officer confirmed the death and injuries, saying the remaining vehicles in the convoy were not affected by the explosion. Following the blast, an exchange of fire continued in the area for some time. Police officials said the attackers fled after additional security personnel arrived at the scene. The deceased official and injured personnel were taken to Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital for medical treatment. Authorities subsequently closed the highway, disrupting traffic at several points, while security forces launched a search operation to locate those responsible. The incident came a day after another explosion in the same area killed four labourers working in an apple orchard and injured three others. Medical officials said the victims had suffered visible splinter injuries.

  • Hong Kong Activist Detained in Bangkok Hours Before Flight to Canada

    Thai immigration police have unexpectedly detained a prominent Hong Kong democracy activist just hours before her scheduled resettlement flight to Canada. Zhang Xinyan, 55, is currently being held at the Suan Phlu immigration detention center located in the heart of Bangkok. Human rights advocates warn that her arrest places her at severe risk of forced […]

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    Congo virus case confirmed: health experts issue u…

    Health authorities have confirmed a case of Congo virus, also known as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), after laboratory testing verified the infection. Officials said the patient’s Congo PCR test returned positive, prompting renewed calls for public awareness and preventive measures against the potentially life-threatening disease. According to health officials, the patient underwent several medical examinations, including a specialized PCR test for the Congo virus. The results confirmed the presence of the infection, allowing doctors to begin appropriate treatment and monitoring while taking necessary infection control measures. Medical experts explain that Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever is a viral disease primarily transmitted through the bite of infected ticks commonly found on livestock. The virus can also spread through direct contact with the blood, tissues, or bodily fluids of infected animals, making people who work closely with livestock more vulnerable to infection. Healthcare professionals have warned that the virus can also spread from one person to another through close contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected patient. For this reason, strict infection prevention protocols are essential in hospitals and healthcare facilities to protect medical staff and caregivers. The symptoms of Congo virus usually begin suddenly and may include high fever, severe weakness, intense headache, muscle pain, nausea, and fatigue. In more serious cases, patients may experience bleeding from the nose and gums, bruising on the skin, and internal bleeding, which can become life-threatening if not treated promptly. Experts emphasize that prevention remains the most effective way to reduce the spread of the disease. People who handle livestock are advised to wear protective clothing and gloves, inspect animals for ticks, and avoid direct contact with animal blood or tissues whenever possible. Farmers, butchers, veterinarians, and livestock traders are considered among the highest-risk groups. Health authorities have also urged hospitals and healthcare workers to follow strict infection control practices, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when treating suspected or confirmed cases. Early diagnosis and timely medical care can improve patient outcomes and help limit the spread of the virus. As public health officials continue to monitor the situation, citizens are encouraged to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms after exposure to ticks or infected animals. Increased awareness, proper hygiene, and preventive measures remain essential in reducing the risk of Congo virus transmission, particularly during periods of increased livestock movement.

  • Meghan Markle reportedly reviving old disguise tactics after UK visit

    Meghan Markle appears to have returned to a familiar playbook, one she and Prince Harry relied on long before their wedding, following the couple’s recent trip to Britain. Details of this renewed strategy were shared with royal commentator Rob Shuter by sources close to the couple in Montecito. Writing in his column ‘Naughty But Nice’, Shuter reports that Markle has taken to wearing disguises nearly every time she leaves her home, a habit that reportedly picked up steam after her meeting with King Charles during the UK visit. According to insiders who spoke with Shuter, Markle has become notably dedicated to staying inconspicuous. Disguises are now said to be a standard part of her routine whenever she ventures beyond the gates of the Montecito property she shares with Harry. The getup reportedly includes wigs, baseball caps, loose-fitting sweatshirts, baggy trousers, and sunglasses so large they practically double as protective eyewear. A source close to Markle explained that recognition is exactly what she is trying to avoid, insisting that every element of her look is deliberate. The wig, the cap, the sunglasses, each piece is reportedly chosen with the specific goal of letting her move through public spaces without drawing attention. Interestingly, the source noted that this low-profile approach seems to have paid off during her recent UK trip. Despite the visit, Markle wasn’t photographed a single time, and the trip reportedly passed with minimal public attention, a rare feat given the usual scrutiny surrounding her movements. This is no new territory for the couple, though. Sources indicate that blending in has long been part of Markle and Harry’s shared approach to navigating public life, dating back to the earliest days of their relationship. Long before the world knew they were a couple, the pair reportedly attended a Halloween party in Toronto while in costume, a tactic that let them spend time together without being recognized. Harry, too, has spoken openly in the past about his own efforts to experience everyday life without the weight of royal recognition following him everywhere he goes. Taken together, the pattern suggests that as royal attention around the family continues, both Markle and Harry appear to be leaning on strategies that predate their public relationship, ones built around discretion, anonymity, and staying several steps removed from the spotlight.

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