Latest news with #Earth
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels sign declaration to end conflict in eastern Congo
DAKAR, Senegal — The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels on Saturday signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end decades-long fighting and commit to a comprehensive peace agreement that would include the restoration of state authorities in key eastern cities controlled by the insurgents. Congo and the M23 rebels committed to 'building trust' through various measures, including an exchange of prisoners and detainees as well as restoring state authority in all parts of the country, including rebel-held areas, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, Qatar's minister of state, said at a briefing. It was not immediately clear whether the declaration involves M23's withdrawal from cities it controls, as the two parties seemed to interpret the agreement differently. Bertrand Bisimwa, an M23 leader, said on X that the declaration is 'not a question of withdrawal but of mechanisms for empowering the state, enabling it to assume its prerogatives and obligations.' M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka told the Associated Press in a telephone call, 'We are in Goma with the population and we are not going to get out.' But Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said the declaration takes into account 'the nonnegotiable withdrawal' of the rebels, followed by the deployment of government forces and institutions. Backed by neighboring Rwanda, M23 is the most prominent of more than 100 armed groups fighting for control in Congo's mineral-rich east. With 7 million people displaced in the country, the United Nations has called the conflict in eastern Congo 'one of the most protracted, complex, serious humanitarian crises on Earth.' Saturday's signing is the first direct commitment by both sides since the rebels seized two key cities in eastern Congo in a major advance early this year. A final peace deal is to be signed no later than Aug. 18, and it 'shall align with the Peace Agreement between Congo and Rwanda,' facilitated by the U.S. in June, according to a copy of the declaration seen by AP. M23 had been pushing for the release of its members held by Congo's military, many of them facing a death sentence. Congo had requested the withdrawal of the rebels from seized territories. 'The Declaration of Principles signed today paves the way for direct negotiations towards a comprehensive peace that addresses the deep-rooted causes of the conflict,' the Qatari minister said. Rwanda's Foreign Affairs Ministry called it 'a significant step forward' in ending the conflict. The U.S. State Department said in a statement that the United States remains committed to supporting 'a peace that results in the restoration of [Congolese] authority and inclusive governance' in the region. In Goma, the city at the center of the conflict, locals received the news of the signing with mixed feelings, with most expressing doubts over the possibility of a lasting peace without a provision for victims of the decades-long conflict. 'We cannot build peace without justice and reparation,' said Amani Muisa, a Goma resident. The document touches on most of the highlights of the peace deal Congo and Rwanda signed June 27, including the protection and safe return of millions who fled the conflict. Massad Boulos, a senior advisor to President Trump who attended the Doha-led talks, said Saturday: 'It is time to find a final solution' to the conflict, reiterating that the most important article of the agreement is the affirmation of state control in rebel-held territories. 'The issue requires dialogue, and following up on this dialogue, and requires persistence,' Boulos said. Another key issue the two sides will have to face is whether Rwanda will stop supporting the rebels, including the thousands of troops that U.N. experts said are in eastern Congo. When Rwanda and Congo signed the peace deal in Washington, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said Rwanda agreed to lift its 'defensive measures' — suggesting a reference to its troops in eastern Congo — once Congo neutralizes an armed group whose members Kigali accuses of carrying out the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Analysts have said that it is going to be difficult for the M23 rebels to withdraw from the eastern Congolese cities of Goma and Bukavu and that it would depend on concessions the Congolese authorities agree to make. There have also been doubts about long-lasting peace if justice for the victims of the war is not addressed. Asadu writes for the Associated Press. AP journalists Ahmed Hatem in Cairo, Jean-Yves Kamale in Kinshasa, Congo, and Justin Kabumba in Goma contributed to this report.
UAE Moments
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
♐ Sagittarius Daily Horoscope for July 20, 2025
Today's vibe is all about alignment—between your heart, your hustle, and your higher self. The stars are nudging you to bring your energy back into balance and focus on what really lights your fire. As the Moon continues its journey through Capricorn, you're feeling a unique combo of ambition and responsibility. It's not your usual wild-child energy, but that's a good thing. This is where dreams start getting real. 💼 Career & Ambitions: You're channeling your inner CEO today. Whether you're in a leadership role or just leveling up, people are taking notice. Stay organized and make practical progress—don't let distractions pull you off course. That project you've been putting off? Tackle it. 💖 Love & Relationships: You may feel a little emotionally reserved, but that doesn't mean you're not craving connection. You want something real, stable, and reliable. Couples should talk about long-term goals today. Singles might find themselves attracted to someone older or wiser. 💪 Body & Wellness: Your energy may be more mental than physical, so don't overcommit to intense workouts. A long walk, a yoga flow, or even tidying your space can help release pent-up tension. Don't underestimate how good a clean space can feel. 🧠 Mental Health Check: Today is a call to slow down and get grounded. You're usually go-go-go, but checking in with your emotional body is just as important. Journaling or reflecting can help you process what's brewing under the surface.
Mint
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Mint
Earthquake Today: 5.6 magnitude earthquake strikes northern Iran, Tajikistan faces 4.0 quake
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake hit northern Iran, while Tajikistan experienced a 4.0 quake. The latter occurred at a depth of 160 km. Tajikistan is prone to various natural disasters, including earthquakes, due to its mountainous terrain and climate hazards. A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck northern Iran on Sunday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre said. The quake was at a depth of 3 km (1.86 miles), EMSC said. An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 jolted Tajikistan on Sunday, a statement by the National Center for Seismology (NCS) said. As per the statement, the earthquake occurred at 160km. In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.0, On: 20/07/2025 01:01:55 IST, Lat: 36.87 N, Long: 72.10 E, Depth: 160 Km, Location: Tajikistan." Earlier on July 18, an earthquake of magnitude 3.8 occurred at a shallow depth of 10km, making it susceptible to aftershocks. Sharing the details on X, NCS said, "EQ of M: 3.8, On: 18/07/2025 03:15:53 IST, Lat: 38.26 N, Long: 74.09 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Tajikistan." Shallow earthquakes like these are more dangerous than deeper ones due to their greater energy release closer to the Earth's surface, causing stronger ground shaking and increased damage to structures and casualties, compared to deeper earthquakes, which lose energy as they travel to the surface. Tajikistan is a mountainous country with diverse topography and is especially vulnerable to climate hazards. It is prone to earthquakes, floods, drought, avalanches, landslides and mudslides. The most vulnerable areas are the glacier-dependent river basins supplying hydropower and water resources for irrigation, fragile mountain ecosystems and isolated forests with mountainous and riverine terrain, which makes it prone to landslides and land degradation.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Fuzzy, Large, And Very Old: Everything We Know About Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
We've only known about its existence for a few short weeks, and already astronomers have been able to learn a lot about the mysterious interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. The object was detected on 1 July 2025, and it made a big splash. Scientists rapidly discovered that it came from outside the Solar System – just the third known object to have done so. Astronomers thronged to study, track, and categorize it. Thanks to their efforts, we now have a pretty detailed – but still evolving – profile of the unusual comet. Initial observations suggest that it is very different from the other two interstellar objects, 1I/'Oumuamua, which appeared in 2017, and 2I/Borisov, discovered in 2019. Related: Astronomers Have Traced Our New Interstellar Comet's Origin, And It's a First Here's what we know. Please note that all papers are, at time of writing, preprints that are awaiting peer review. Trajectory Ongoing observations of 3I/ATLAS have enabled astronomers to chart its future path through the Solar System. It was discovered when it was at a distance of 4.5 astronomical units from the Sun (one astronomical unit is the distance between Earth and the Sun). That placed it inside the orbit of Jupiter. It's traveling at just under 60 kilometers (37 miles) per second, but that will speed up as the comet approaches the Sun. 1I/'Oumumua was traveling at 26 kilometers per second, and 2I/Borisov at 32. The closest 3I/ATLAS will come to the Sun is around 1.36 astronomical units, inside the orbit of Mars, on 29 October 2025. Its closest approach to Earth will be in December 2025, when it will come to a distance of 1.8 astronomical units. Origin The speed and trajectory of 3I/ATLAS suggest that it comes from the thick disk of the Milky Way, the puffy region around the thin disk wherein just 15 percent of the galaxy's stellar mass resides. This part of the galaxy is relatively sparse, and most of the stars in it are very old. Age The comet's origin provides clues about its age. Since it seems to hail from a region of mostly elderly objects, it stands to reason that 3I/ATLAS is likewise quite venerable. This is supported by a separate paper that has analyzed the speed and velocity of the comet to try to calculate its age. It is traveling much faster than the two previous interstellar objects, 1I/'Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov, suggesting that it is older than them too. Future observations will help narrow down the object's age, but this analysis places it somewhere between 3 and 11 billion years old. The Universe is 13.8 billion years old, and the Sun is 4.6 billion. 3I/ATLAS is unlikely to be at the upper end of the age range, but it's still probably older than the Solar System. "This is an object from a part of the galaxy we've never seen up close before," says astrophysicist Chris Lintott of the University of Oxford in the UK, co-author of one of the papers that has emerged. "We think there's a two-thirds chance this comet is older than the Solar System, and that it's been drifting through interstellar space ever since." Appearance We don't know much about the appearance of 3I/ATLAS yet, because it is very small and still quite far away, but initial observations suggest that it is quite large compared to 1I/'Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov – about 10 kilometers across, compared to up to 400 meters long (around 1,300 feet) for 1I/'Oumuamua and 975 meters for 2I/Borisov. The spectrum of light reflected off the comet has been measured by a number of independent teams, all arriving at the same findings, suggesting that the object has either a complex mix of grain sizes, a different composition from those of Solar System comets, or a combo of both explanations. New images taken with the Gemini North telescope reveal the comet's puffy coma, a sort of 'atmosphere' of dust and gas that surrounds the comet. As it draws closer to the Sun, scientists expect its activity to pick up, resulting in cometary outgassing. "3I/ATLAS likely contains ices, especially below the surface, and those ices may start to activate as it nears the Sun," says astronomer Darryl Seligman of Michigan State University in the US. "But until we detect specific gas emissions, like H2O, CO or CO2, we can't say for sure what kinds of ice or how much there is." What next? Astronomers are going to continue keeping a close eye on 3I/ATLAS. Since it is so much larger than either of the previous two interstellar visitors, it presents a much better observation target, and its projected origin and age means it represents a rare opportunity to study parts of the galaxy in time and space that are usually out of reach. Its appearance has another implication, too. It suggests that interstellar visitors are relatively common to the Solar System – which is all the more reason to be excited about the forthcoming ESA/JAXA Comet Interceptor mission, designed to visit comets and study them up close, currently slated for a 2029 launch. Related News Sold: Largest Mars Rock Exceeds Auction Expectations One of 2025's Best Meteor Showers Is Upon Us: Here's How to Watch Meteorite Discovery Could Fill Billion Year Gap in Moon History Solve the daily Crossword
Bangkok Post
4 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Street fighter unbowed; scold meets match; clean kill
Going man to man A Sai Mai kickboxer is warning a local troublemaker who took him on outside a convenience store, and lost, not to attempt a second round. Facebook user Peerapat "Fluke" Ngamsilapakorn, who has been training as a kickboxer since the age of six or so, made short work of an aggressive young man identified in the media as "Earth" (no other details provided) when they clashed outside the store. Earth punched Peerapat after the two started arguing following a near collision in Phahon Yothin 54/1 Soi 4, in the Klong Thanon area. Peerapat released a rapid volley of punches in response, knocking Earth off his feet. He then kicked him several times in the chest and attempted to grab him in a headlock when a passerby intervened and stopped the fight. Peerapat's girlfriend, who was urging the two to cool off, filmed the fight on her phone. The clip quickly went viral, drawing unwelcome media attention to Earth, who nonetheless said he was bruising for another fight. Before leaving the scene of the clash, an unchastened Earth said he would see Peerapat again, an implicit threat to finish off the fight. Later he contacted Peerapat online after the clip went viral. Earth suggested they meet "man to man" for another round -- but this time said he should keep the media out of it. "Let's not get the police involved. Man to man -- you and me, one more round. Just give me a bit of time. If I had hit your girlfriend that day, you'd have felt it," Earth said. Peerapat responded: "He still hasn't learned his lesson -- wants another round. I already let him go the first time." Peerapat, whose boxing trainer describes as a quiet, sensitive type, nonetheless has his limits. Laying a complaint at Sai Mai station, he let reporters photograph him in boxer's fighting mode, wearing a smart pair of black wraparound shades. He said he wrestled with the decision to respond to Earth's provocation. "I'm a very calm person. I never go looking for trouble. But when someone gets cocky and starts yelling at me, why should I just back down?" Peerapat said. "Everyone taught me not to let people walk over me. I tried talking to him nicely, but he wouldn't listen. I told him to leave, and he wouldn't. I could have hit him first, but that wouldn't be fair since I'm a trained boxer. "So I let him take the first swing -- but I blocked it. What happened after that is in the clip. He talked big, now let me have my say." He had no intention of using his Muay Thai skills to hurt anyone, as that goes against the sport's ethical code. The row started after he was signalling to turn into a parking area outside the store, which is by Wat Ko Suwannaram School. Earth approached at speed from behind on his own motorcycle, without headlights on, and nearly crashed into him. He got off his bike and started shouting at Peerapat. Both men exchanged heated words, as captured in the clip. Earth shoved Peerapat in the chest and repeatedly shouted, "Where do you live?" Earth then threw a punch, which the boxer countered with a quick, well-executed flurry of blows that sent Earth sprawling to the pavement. Despite the rematch request, Peerapat went to police, saying he is worried Earth will seek a reprisal, perhaps in the dead of night. Reporters spoke to Earth's neighbours and learnt he was fired a couple of weeks ago from a car repair yard. His boss said he wasn't good at his job as a motor repairman, and often turned up late. He also had a temper problem, and tools from the workshop had gone missing, which he blamed on Earth. Earth's father, meanwhile, said he had entered monkhood to make merit once in the hope his son would turn over a new leaf, but was unsuccessful. He had severed ties with his son, news reports said. Earth has mild psychiatric issues and drinks kratom juice regularly, his Dad added. The drama continues. Age gap fuels jealous streak A jealous scold took on more than she bargained for when she threatened to set alight a woman she accused of seeing her husband. Peng (no surname provided), 50, left a hand-written note threatening to burn alive a neighbour, Som (no surname provided), if she didn't stop showing an interest in her husband, aged 40. The pair live in the Huai Pong community in Map Ta Phut district of Rayong. Som consulted a friend, Namwan (no surname provided), who took her to confront Peng at her house. They filmed their encounter. Speaking through her closed door, she challenged Peng to step outside and sort out the problem. She refused. Both sides then shouted abuse at each other through the closed door of Peng's ramshackle house, with the occupant still refusing to come out. A clip of the domestic drama quickly went viral, with neighbours confirming Peng was the jealous type. She abused women who passed by the front of her house, even those who had never met her husband, they said. Namwan said Peng moved in recently and had been verbally abusing her friend for over a month. The encounters took a more sinister turn when Peng left the hand-written note threatening to douse Som in gasoline and set her on fire. "I initially approached her to to talk peacefully, but she responded with insults, so I lost my temper and yelled back," she told reporters. Peng proved no match for the feisty Namwan, telling her meekly to mind her own business. Namwan replied with the cutting line: "I'd love to know just how handsome your husband is to justify you messing around with my friend so much." Peng admitted her husband, who was not seen in the clip, was not the handsome type -- adding that was just as well. Namwan believes the problem started when Som came home from work one evening, the same time as Peng's husband happened to ride up on his motorbike. That mere coincidence convinced Peng they were seeing each other romantically when in reality her friend didn't even know what the husband looked like. Namwan later took reporters to the scene, only to find Peng's house locked up. They spoke to Yupin (no surname provided), a 59-year-old neighbour who's lived in the area for 10 years. Yupin said Peng has been clinging to her husband following the row with Namwan but still returns home to verbally abuse him. "She yells at him morning, evening and night -- sometimes until morning. I can't sleep. "She's been here just two months and already drives the whole neighbourhood crazy. Any woman walking past the house gets yelled at. I've even been accused -- and I have a husband!" Yupin added: "This couple used to work with me, and even then, Peng suspected I was trying to steal her man. Som has lived here a long time and is known to be kind and respectful. But this woman just lashes out at everyone. "If a couple wants to live happily, they should treat each other with respect -- not scream at their spouse all day. Maybe the jealousy comes from having a younger husband, who knows." Namwan added with a homily of her own: "If you love and care for your husband, ask him first instead of attacking others. Making threats is crossing the line." Just popping home for a wash A Maha Sarakham man who had just stabbed his adoptive father to death calmly visited a local temple and then returned home for a shower when he was caught by police. Muang district police nabbed Wanchana (no surname provided), 30, while he was taking a shower at his home in Khwao subdistrict about 4am on July 14. Police were alerted the previous evening that the suspect's father, Prawit, 53 had been found at the house with critical stab wounds after a fight with his son. Rescue workers took him to Maha Sarakham Hospital but he succumbed. Wanchana fled his home to a local temple, where he slept. Later, he returned to the house for a shower. Officers took him in for questioning. Police said the suspect had a criminal record going back to 2021, including charges of assaulting his mother, possession of marijuana, resisting arrest and another drugs use rap in 2025. Wanchana said he only raised the knife to block his father, who he believed was trying to attack him. He admitted to using methamphetamine. Wanchana added he has no siblings or relatives and was adopted by the victim's family. He only learned later through local gossip that they were not biologically related, as their blood types didn't match. He expressed remorse for his actions.
