Latest news with #MinistryoftheInterior
Telegraph
a day ago
- Climate
- Telegraph
At least 14 dead in ‘once-in-a-century' storms in South Korea
At least 14 people have died and 12 are missing after five days of torrential rain in South Korea in what the national weather agency described as a 'once-in-a-century' event. The country's southern regions have received up to 600-800 millimetres of rain since Wednesday, some of the heaviest hourly rainfall on record. Torrential downpours hit Gapyeong, a resort town 70km east of Seoul on early Sunday, leaving at least two dead and four missing. One person was found dead after being swept away by the floods, and another was killed after their house collapsed because of the heavy rainfall. There are concerns that the death toll could continue to rise, with 12 people still missing according to the Ministry of the Interior and the Safety and National Fire Agency on Sunday. Over 2,000 public buildings have been damaged across the country, according to the ministry, with reports of damage to farmland and the death of livestock. Communication remains unstable in the areas hit by flooding, and many sites remain inaccessible, according to local reports. Footage shows heavy rainfall in the south of the country, with submerged vehicles, roads blocked by water, people wading through the streets and the extensive damage to farmland. In response to the floods, Lee Jae-myung, South Korea's president, ordered on Sunday for the areas that were hit the hardest by the extreme weather to be designated as special disaster zones, and the government has set up a multi-agency recovery effort. The majority of deaths have occurred in the southern county of Sancheong, with eight people killed and six others unaccounted for in the town following landslides, flash floods and the collapse of houses after experiencing almost 800 millimetres of rainfall since Wednesday. Earlier this week, three people were found dead in a flooded car, and a person was also killed after their car was buried by soil and concrete after an overpass collapsed in Osan, south of Seoul. Across the region, nearly 10,000 people have evacuated their homes since Wednesday, while more than 41,000 households have temporarily lost power, the BBC reports. South Korea also endured heavy rain and flooding in 2022, killing at least 11 people. The rain has mostly stopped in the worst-affected southern and central areas, with the rainfall moving north overnight and is expected to last until Monday in some areas, before a heatwave next week.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Officials bust smugglers driving truck jam-packed with illegal cargo — here's what they found inside
A state truck in Santiago de Cuba was stopped and seized by officials, who found it jam-packed with precious and protected tree species. According to CiberCuba, the truck had 4,777 cubic meters of wood on board, which included 89 blocks of cedar and 24 blocks of mahogany. Agents of the Revolutionary National Police (PNR), working with other entities of the Ministry of the Interior, stopped the truck as part of an ongoing effort to end illegal trafficking. In Cuba, cedar and mahogany are protected species. They have been overlogged historically, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists mahogany as endangered and cedar as vulnerable. For mahogany, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) reported, "Populations of big-leaf mahogany have declined by over 70% in Central America since 1950. The species is already reported to be commercially extinct in El Salvador, Costa Rica and parts of South America." The commercialization and illegal trafficking of precious or protected species is illegal in Cuba, and actions like this one show a lack of awareness, or a lack of care, for the trees and the planet. Luckily, the officials caught this instance, though locals are concerned that repercussions for those responsible will not be effective in stopping the destruction and sale of these protected species. It was also unclear whether there were other ongoing investigations into further corruption related to this incident, CiberCuba wrote. Protected species like these trees have the protections they do to prevent extinction. By protecting native species and keeping them from extinction, we can keep our environment more biodiverse and healthy. Huge trees like these are especially important, as they help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, offsetting the effects of pollution and slowing global warming. By supporting environmental organizations focused on helping protected or endangered species, you can do your part in keeping these vital parts of our world safe. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Ya Biladi
11-07-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco steps up preparations for AFCON 2025 and World Cup 2030
The Ministry of the Interior held a meeting on Friday to review the progress of key projects planned in preparation for two major sporting events to be hosted by the Kingdom: the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 FIFA World Cup. For the World Cup, discussions centered on critical priorities such as stadium construction, infrastructure upgrades, and urban renewal, each essential to meeting international standards. As for AFCON 2025, all necessary measures are being implemented to ensure the tournament's success. The meeting emphasized the importance of ongoing coordination and regular monitoring by all stakeholders, ensuring strict oversight of these continental and global events. Both competitions are seen as strategic opportunities to elevate Morocco's international standing and inject renewed momentum into the national economy. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Fouzi Lekjaa, Chairman of the 2030 World Cup Committee, highlighted that the gathering followed the adoption on Thursday of the bill establishing the «Morocco 2030 Foundation». This foundation will be responsible for coordinating efforts among domestic and international stakeholders to ensure the success of this large-scale national project. Lekjaa added that work is already underway in several Moroccan cities to prepare for both sporting events. Regarding AFCON 2025, he affirmed that all infrastructure will be completed several months ahead of the tournament, showcasing and reinforcing the Kingdom's outstanding organizational capabilities.
Qatar Tribune
10-07-2025
- Qatar Tribune
Italy OKs domestic, Schengen flights with just boarding card, no ID
Rome A boarding pass will now suffice at Italian airports for boarding domestic flights and those within Europe's Schengen visa-free travel area. There is no longer a need to show ID at the gate for these flights, after the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) changed the rules. This new procedure was introduced by ENAC and approved by the Ministry of the Interior, the daily newspaper Corriere della Sera reported on Thursday. Anyone entering the security area of an airport has already passed the usual security checks, such as metal detectors or security gates. So, anyone flying from Italy to Germany or Spain, for example, can now skip reaching for their ID at the gate. Despite the relaxation, Di Palma advises caution: Passports or identity cards should not be left at home, as anyone without a document during a check will not be allowed on board. (dpa)
Fashion Network
09-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
French government announces new measures to boost city-centre retail
Commercial vacancy rates have risen from 7% to 11% in French city centres in 10 years, according to the CODATA research institute, and from 6% to 14% in shopping streets since 2010, according to figures presented by the Ministry of the Interior, leading the French government to introduce new measures. On July 8, at the Ministry of the Economy and Finance in Paris, Minister of Trade Véronique Louwagie presented a package of measures to businesses, local authorities, embassy envoys, and other attendees of the 'Transformation of city-centre stores' event. Louwagie also announced the opening of a round of consultations on the Commercial City Charter. The French government has introduced a package of measures designed to bring new impetus to city-centre retail - Shutterstock In terms of policies, Louwagie said that the government wants to act in favour of city-centre retail, explaining that retail in rural and suburban areas has benefited from ad hoc support in recent years. 'Local retailers play a key role in the heart of our city and town centres, as drivers of the local economy and elements of community cohesion,' Louwagie said in a statement. '[Local retail] is facing major challenges, first and foremost commercial vacancy rates, which contribute to devitalise local areas. Public authorities, retail associations and chambers of commerce all need to act together to address these challenges. Our collective intention is clear: To revive our city centres while building the retail of tomorrow,' she added. What does the government intend to do, with local government elections looming in 2026? No investment figures were put forward, but the plan hinges on four elements. The funding or co-funding by local chambers of commerce of retail manager positions; the setting up of a working group within the National Trade Council (CNC) focusing on city-centre retail and vacancy rates from the autumn; as a trial, vacant premises will be made temporarily available locally this year to local producers and artisans during the 'month of buying French'; finally, work will start on the simplification and rationalisation of the taxes on unutilised commercial sites. The latter measure should make it possible to reduce vacancy rates. In addition, the government will work on measures for facilitating the handover and acquisition of businesses, and for encouraging retailers to tap the opportunities afforded by AI. The latter is a significant challenge, as most retailers in France haven't yet gone digital. With regards to the Commercial City Charter, its scope is seemingly set to be defined by the consultation that the government is initiating with the various stakeholders in city-centre retail. The government indicated that 'this charter is based on the mainstays of commercial growth: Accessibility, sustainability, commercial activation, security, visibility, jobs and training, urban planning and local trade governance. For each of these elements, the municipalities that will become charter signatories will be able to set reciprocal commitments with local trade associations in order to work toward a framework conducive to local economic development.' For France's future mayors and the retailers in their towns, this will be akin to a commitment to using a common language to better understand each other.
