Latest news with #goodwillTour
Arab News
04-07-2025
- Arab News
‘Best experience': Omani motorcyclists praise Pakistan's landscape, warmth and cuisine
ISLAMABAD: Riding more than 2,000 kilometers across Pakistan's diverse terrain — from snow capped mountain passes to fertile river plains — a group of eight Omani bikers say their journey through the country has been unlike any other. The motorcyclists from Oman's Bousher Bikers Club are in Pakistan on a 15-day goodwill tour, part of a broader initiative to promote people-to-people ties between the two nations. Over the past two weeks, they have traveled through Islamabad, the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, the Naran resort town and parts of eastern Punjab, with a final stop planned in Lahore before their departure today, Thursday. '[This is] the best experience. I say that people here in Pakistan, they open their heart before they open their door for us,' said Majid Al-Rawahi, the group's leader, speaking outside Islamabad's Faisal Mosque on Monday. 'We really feel as our country here, as our home.' The Omani riders, all part of a 40-member club based in the Bousher neighborhood of Muscat, arrived in Pakistan on June 20 on a visit facilitated by the Pakistani embassy in Muscat and the Omani government. During their journey, they've explored Islamabad, the Sargodha region in Punjab, the Naran resort town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Khunjerab Pass, the world's highest paved international border crossing between Pakistan and China. Al-Rawahi said that while some of what they had heard about Pakistan before the trip included negative stereotypes, their experience on the road quickly proved otherwise. 'We crossed more than 2,000 kilometers by bike and it was a very interesting trip for us as we met a lot of people, friendly people, peaceful people, and helpful people,' he said. Issa Al-Hasani, another member of the group, said the journey through northern Pakistan had been filled with 'breathtaking landscapes,' including waterfalls, rolling hills, and vibrant small towns. But it was the warmth of the people that left the strongest impression. 'The people were kind and friendly, always greeting us with warm smiles,' he said. 'Pakistan is a beautiful country with high security, good people, good manners and respect, and I want to say thank you to everyone.' EDIBLE MEMORIES Pakistan has in recent years promoted its northern areas as a haven for adventurists and nature lovers. With snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes, historic forts, and expansive deserts, the country offers routes that appeal to both local and international travelers, particularly bikers and overlanders seeking remote, scenic journeys. Pakistan offers visa-free entry to citizens of 126 countries for tourism and business purposes, effective August 14, 2024. These travelers can obtain an electronic visa within 24 hours, free of charge, and use e-gates at select airports and Gwadar Port. The eVisa is valid for a single entry for 90 days. The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) projects the travel and tourism industry to grow annually by 6.75 percent from 2025 to 2029, reaching a market size of $5.53 billion by the end of the period. Still, the experience of traveling in Pakistan isn't without its challenges. Al-Rawahi said Pakistan's roadside infrastructure, particularly rest areas, washrooms and restaurants, could benefit from improvement to better serve tourists. That said, the group also expressed deep appreciation for what they experienced, especially the food. 'We tried various traditional dishes and found them delicious, especially biryani and local sweets,' said Al-Rawahi. For Kamil Al-Wahaibi, the memories are also edible. He said he especially enjoyed kulcha paratha, a flaky, buttery flatbread. 'We call it lola in Oman and we eat it with tea,' he said with a smile. As the group's tour enters its final stretch with a visit to Lahore before departure on July 4, the riders are already thinking about returning. 'I want to bring my family, especially to the [Azad] Kashmir side, and during the winter to the desert as it is a good tourism time here,' Al-Rawahi said. Al-Wahaibi agreed: 'I will come back with my family and with my friends. They will enjoy it.'
National Post
18-05-2025
- General
- National Post
Two crew members killed, 19 injured as Mexican Navy tall ship collides with Brooklyn Bridge
Federal transportation officials have launched an investigation into why a Mexican navy tall ship hit the Brooklyn Bridge in a collision that snapped the vessel's three masts, killed two crew members and left some sailors dangling from harnesses high in the air. Article content Article content The ship known as the Cuauhtemoc was visiting New York on a global goodwill tour when the accident occurred Saturday evening. The vessel could be seen in multiple eyewitness videos travelling swiftly in reverse toward the bridge near the Brooklyn side of the East River. Then its three masts struck the bridge and snapped, one by one, as the ship kept moving. Article content Article content It was unclear what caused the ship to veer off course. The National Transportation Safety Board announced that it was sending a team to investigate. Investigators were expected to arrive Sunday afternoon. Article content A ship has collided with the Brooklyn bridge today. — Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 18, 2025 Article content Article content Two of the four people who suffered serious injuries later died, Adams announced on social media. Article content Videos showed heavy traffic on the span at the time of the 8:20 p.m. collision. No one on the bridge was hurt. Article content The vessel, which was flying a giant Mexican flag and had 277 people aboard, then drifted into a pier on the riverbank as onlookers scrambled away. Article content Sailors could be seen aloft in the rigging on the damaged masts but, remarkably, no one fell into the water, officials said. Article content Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz told The Associated Press they were sitting outside to watch the sunset when they saw the vessel strike the bridge. Article content 'We saw someone dangling, and I couldn't tell if it was just blurry or my eyes. And we were able to zoom in on our phone, and there was someone dangling from the harness from the top for like at least like 15 minutes before they were able to rescue them,' Katz said. Article content Article content Just before the collision, Nick Corso took his phone out to capture the backdrop of the ship and the bridge against a sunset, Instead, he heard what sounded like the loud snapping of a 'big twig.' Several more snaps followed.
Washington Post
18-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Federal officials launch investigation into Mexican tall ship that struck Brooklyn Bridge
NEW YORK — Federal transportation officials have launched an investigation into why a Mexican navy tall ship hit the Brooklyn Bridge in a collision that snapped the vessel's three masts, killed two crew members and left some sailors dangling from harnesses high in the air. The ship known as the Cuauhtemoc was visiting New York on a global goodwill tour when the accident occurred Saturday evening. The vessel could be seen in multiple eyewitness videos traveling swiftly in reverse toward the bridge near the Brooklyn side of the East River. Then its three masts struck the bridge and snapped, one by one, as the ship kept moving.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mexican tall ship strikes Brooklyn Bridge, killing 2 crew members, injuring dozens others
A Mexican navy sailing ship on a global goodwill tour struck the Brooklyn Bridge in New York on Saturday, snapping its three masts, killing two crew members and leaving some sailors dangling from harnesses high in the air waiting for help. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the 142-year-old bridge was spared major damage but at least 19 people aboard the ship needed medical treatment. Two of the four people who suffered serious injuries later died, Adams announced on social media early Sunday. The cause of the collision was under investigation. In a scene captured in multiple eyewitness videos, the ship, called the Cuauhtemoc, could be seen traveling swiftly in reverse toward the bridge near the Brooklyn side of the East River. Then, its three masts struck the bridge's span and snapped, one by one, as the ship kept moving. Videos showed heavy traffic on the span at the time of the 8:20 p.m. collision. No one on the bridge was reported injured. The vessel, which was flying a giant Mexican flag and had 277 people aboard, then drifted into a pier on the riverbank as onlookers scrambled away. Sailors could be seen aloft in the rigging on the damaged masts but, remarkably, no one fell into the water, officials said. Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz told The Associated Press they were sitting outside to watch the sunset when they saw the vessel strike the bridge. 'We saw someone dangling, and I couldn't tell if it was just blurry or my eyes, and we were able to zoom in on our phone and there was someone dangling from the harness from the top for like at least like 15 minutes before they were able to rescue them,' Katz said. Just before the collision, Nick Corso, 23, took his phone out to capture the backdrop of the ship and the bridge against a sunset, Instead, he heard what sounded like the loud snapping of a 'big twig.' Several more snaps followed. People in his vicinity began running, and 'pandemonium' erupted aboard the ship, he said. He later saw a handful of people dangling from a mast. 'I didn't know what to think, I was like, is this a movie?' he said. The Mexican navy said in a post on the social platform X that the Cuauhtemoc was an academy training vessel. It said a total of 22 people were injured, 19 of whom needed medical treatment. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum regretted the loss of the two crew members. 'Our solidarity and support go out to their families,' Sheinbaum said on X. The Brooklyn Bridge, which opened in 1883, has a nearly 1,600-foot (490-meter) main span supported by two masonry towers. More than 100,000 vehicles and an estimated 32,000 pedestrians cross every day, according to the city's transportation department. Its walkway is a major tourist attraction. Traffic was halted after the collision but was allowed to resume after an inspection, city officials said. It was unclear what caused the ship to veer off course. New York Police Department Special Operations Chief Wilson Aramboles said the ship had just left a Manhattan pier and was supposed to have been headed out to sea, not toward the bridge. He said an initial report was that the pilot of the ship had lost power due to a mechanical problem, though officials cautioned that information was preliminary. Videos show a tugboat was close to the Cuauhtemoc at the time of the crash. The Cuauhtemoc — about 297 feet long and 40 feet wide (90.5 meters long and 12 meters wide), according to the Mexican navy — sailed for the first time in 1982. The vessel's main mast has a height of 160 feet (48.9 meters), according to the Mexican government. As midnight approached, the broken boat was moved slowly up the East River, going under and past the Manhattan Bridge, aided by a series of tugboats, before docking at a pier. Onlookers continued to gather on the waterfront to watch the spectacle. Each year, the Cuauhtemoc sets out at the end of classes at the naval military school to finish cadets' training. This year it left the Mexican port of Acapulco, on the Pacific coast, on April 6, the navy said. It arrived in New York City on May 13, where visitors were welcome for several days, the Mexican consulate said. The ship was scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 nations over 254 days, 170 of them at sea. ___ Associated Press writers Michael R. Sisak and Jennifer Peltz in New York, Sejal Govindarao in Phoenix, Arizona, and Gene Johnson in Seattle, Washington, contributed to this report. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
2 dead after Mexican navy training vessel hits New York's Brooklyn Bridge
A Mexican navy sailing ship on a global goodwill tour struck the Brooklyn Bridge in New York on Saturday, snapping its three masts, killing two crew members, and leaving some sailors dangling from harnesses high in the air waiting for help. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the 142-year-old bridge was spared major damage but at least 19 people aboard the ship needed medical treatment. Two of the four people who suffered serious injuries later died, Adams announced on social media early Sunday. The cause of the collision was under investigation. In a scene captured in multiple eyewitness videos, the ship, called the Cuauhtemoc, could be seen traveling swiftly in reverse toward the bridge near the Brooklyn side of the East River. Then, its three masts struck the bridge's span and snapped, one by one, as the ship kept moving. Videos showed heavy traffic on the span at the time of the 8:20 p.m. collision. No one on the bridge was reported injured. The vessel, which was flying a giant Mexican flag and had 277 people aboard, then drifted into a pier on the riverbank as onlookers scrambled away. Sailors could be seen aloft in the rigging on the damaged masts but, remarkably, no one fell into the water, officials said. Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz told The Associated Press they were sitting outside to watch the sunset when they saw the vessel strike the bridge. 'We saw someone dangling, and I couldn't tell if it was just blurry or my eyes, and we were able to zoom in on our phone and there was someone dangling from the harness from the top for like at least like 15 minutes before they were able to rescue them,' Katz said. Just before the collision, Nick Corso, 23, took his phone out to capture the backdrop of the ship and the bridge against a sunset, Instead, he heard what sounded like the loud snapping of a 'big twig.' Several more snaps followed. People in his vicinity began running and 'pandemonium' erupted aboard the ship, he said. He later saw a handful of people dangling from a mast. 'I didn't know what to think, I was like, is this a movie?' he said. The Mexican navy said in a post on the social platform X that the Cuauhtemoc was an academy training vessel. It said a total of 22 people were injured, 19 of whom needed medical treatment. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum regretted the loss of the two crew members. 'Our solidarity and support go out to their families,' Sheinbaum said on X. The Brooklyn Bridge, which opened in 1883, has a nearly 1,600-foot (490-meter) main span supported by two masonry towers. More than 100,000 vehicles and an estimated 32,000 pedestrians cross every day, according to the city's transportation department. Its walkway is a major tourist attraction. Traffic was halted after the collision but was allowed to resume after an inspection, city officials said. It was unclear what caused the ship to veer off course. New York Police Department Special Operations Chief Wilson Aramboles said the ship had just left a Manhattan pier and was supposed to have been headed out to sea, not toward the bridge. He said an initial report was that the pilot of the ship had lost power due to a mechanical problem, though officials cautioned that information was preliminary. Videos show a tugboat was close to the Cuauhtemoc at the time of the crash. The Cuauhtemoc — about 297 feet long and 40 feet wide (90.5 meters long and 12 meters wide), according to the Mexican navy — sailed for the first time in 1982. The vessel's main mast has a height of 160 feet (48.9 meters), according to the Mexican government. As midnight approached, the broken boat was moved slowly up the East River, going under and past the Manhattan Bridge, aided by a series of tugboats, before docking at a pier. Onlookers continued to gather on the waterfront to watch the spectacle. Each year the Cuauhtemoc sets out at the end of classes at the naval military school to finish cadets' training. This year it left the Mexican port of Acapulco, on the Pacific coast, on April 6, the navy said. It arrived in New York City on May 13, where visitors were welcome for several days, the Mexican consulate said. The ship was scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 nations over 254 days, 170 of them at sea. ___ Associated Press writers Michael R. Sisak and Jennifer Peltz in New York, Sejal Govindarao in Phoenix, Arizona, and Gene Johnson in Seattle, Washington, contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
