100 passengers left stuck in Hong Kong after Iran attack on US base in Doha
Qatar Airways flight 815 was scheduled to depart from Hong Kong for Doha at 1.25am on Tuesday, just as Qatar closed its airspace to commercial airliners 'to ensure the safety of citizens, residents'.
Shortly after the cancellation, news came through that Iran had launched a missile attack on the American Al Udeid Air Base near Doha. No casualties were recorded.
The attack on the biggest American airbase in the Middle East came two days after the US launched massive strikes against three nuclear facilities inside Iran.
Jasper Reed*, a passenger on the affected flight, said that he saw the news about 30 minutes before the flight started boarding.
'We all started lining up for boarding as the news was coming in about the attack on a US base in Qatar,' he said.
'It was quite surreal to think we might be boarding a flight heading to an active war zone, as nobody was telling us if the flight was cancelled or delayed.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
More than ever, we need a UN that can tackle global challenges
The world is facing complex global challenges in acute need of solutions, from forging peace where there is war, to tackling climate change and combating poverty. Urgent solutions are needed, but they will only be possible if nations overcome their differences and work together for the common good. Former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, speaking in Hong Kong recently, made a timely call for solidarity in what he aptly described as 'an unprecedented era of new, interconnected crises and elevated global uncertainty'. The United Nations marks its 80th anniversary this year. It was formed amid the devastation caused by the second world war, to ensure such horrors would not be experienced again. Article 1 of the UN Charter says it is 'to maintain international peace and security' through collaborative measures to settle disputes peacefully. But the UN has been unable to prevent wars in Ukraine Gaza and Iran . It must show it can stay relevant and effective amid growing unilateralism, with international relations riven by differences, distrust and tension. There is also an urgent need for progress in other areas, notably on climate change. Last year was the hottest on record The UN set 17 sustainable development goals a decade ago, including on the provision of food and water, education and protection of the environment. Some progress has been made, but it needs to get much closer to its goals. Meanwhile, the size, efficiency and cost of the organisation is in question. Ban, rightly, highlighted the need to strengthen the UN through 'timely and necessary reforms'. But this will not be easy. The UN is well aware of the need for change. A 'pact for the future' was adopted in September, providing a basis for it to refocus and revitalise.
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong housing authorities quietly open door for same-sex couples
Hong Kong's housing authorities have opened up applications for public rental and subsidised homes to same-sex couples as part of efforts to address a ruling from the city's top court last year, the Post has learned. The measures, including modifying the application form for seeking second-hand subsidised homes, were implemented without any public announcement. While lawmakers said the government had responded to the Court of Final Appeal's decision prudently and within a reasonable time frame, a concern group expressed hope that the changes could have been publicly announced. In a reply to the Post, the Housing Authority said: 'Upon receiving [public rental home] applications involving same-sex married spouses, we will handle the case in accordance with the practice adopted for the 'ordinary families' applicant category.' A spokesman added that the authority would continue to process such applications and those for buying subsidised flats from same-sex married couples. The authority had yet to receive any public rental housing applications from any same-sex couples as of Thursday.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong will benefit from recognising the rights of same-sex couples
The landmark ruling by Hong Kong's top court requiring the government to recognise same-sex relationships was a defining moment for the city. Grounded in law, but also basic human decency, the court gave officials two years to put in place a framework protecting the core rights of such couples, who are not permitted to marry in the city. The government unveiled its proposals last week, just four months ahead of the deadline and no one is happy with them. Members of the LGBTQ community are disappointed because they do not go far enough. Lawmakers are also angry. They hit out at the government for leaving insufficient time for the legislative process and failing to launch a public consultation. Some claimed the proposals would undermine Hong Kong's traditional family values. There is a need for calm and clarity. Some legislators appear to want to roll back the ruling because they disagree with it. But the judgment must be implemented. That should be non-negotiable. Otherwise, there will be a continuing breach of the law. Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai was spot on when he said: 'A decision of the Court of Final Appeal, whether you like it or not or agree with it or not, is part of our judicial system,' adding that it must be respected. The legislators are on firmer ground when they complain about the late submission of the proposals and lack of public consultation.
