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France moves toward Australia-style social media ban for children

EDGARDO HERNAL
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France moves toward Australia-style social media ban for children

PARIS — France is preparing to ban children from using social media platforms beginning in the 2026 academic year, as President Emmanuel Macron pushes to follow Australia’s world-first restrictions on minors’ access to online platforms.

A draft bill prohibiting children under 15 from using social media is expected to be submitted to the Conseil d’État for legal review in the coming days and could be debated in parliament early next year, according to reports by Le Monde and France Info. The government aims for the ban to take effect in September 2026.

The proposed legislation mirrors Australia’s recent move to bar under-16s from social media platforms, including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, which came into force in December. In France, the draft bill includes two key provisions: a nationwide ban on social media use for under-15s and a prohibition on mobile phones in high schools attended by students aged 15 to 18. Mobile phones are already banned in French primary and middle schools.

President Macron has repeatedly signaled his support for swift action, saying in recent weeks that momentum is building internationally following Australia’s decision. Speaking earlier this month at a public debate in Saint-Malo, Macron said excessive screen time was linked to declining academic performance and rising mental health problems among young people.

“The more screen time there is, the more school achievement drops … the more screen time there is, the more mental health problems go up,” Macron said. He likened unrestricted access to social media to allowing a child to drive a Formula One car without proper training.

The draft bill, cited by Le Monde, points to the “risks of excessive screen use by teenagers,” including exposure to inappropriate content, online bullying, and disrupted sleep patterns. It stresses the need to “protect future generations” from digital risks that threaten social cohesion and shared values.

Education unions are expected to review the proposed high school phone ban, while legal scrutiny by the Conseil d’État will assess the bill’s compatibility with French and European law.

Anne Le Hénanff, France’s minister responsible for digital development and artificial intelligence, said earlier this month that restricting social media access for under-15s is a government priority. She told Le Parisien that the bill would be “short and compatible with European law,” particularly the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), which targets hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation online.

France’s move comes amid broader international discussions on limiting children’s exposure to social media. Denmark and Norway are considering similar bans, while Malaysia has announced plans to restrict social media use for under-16s starting in 2026. In the United Kingdom, the Labour government has said it has not ruled out a ban, stressing that any decision must be based on robust evidence.

The proposed legislation also follows growing concern in France over the psychological effects of social media on children. A parliamentary inquiry into TikTok, released in September, described the platform as a “slow poison” for young users. The report warned that algorithm-driven content exposed children to an “ocean of harmful material.” TikTok has rejected the findings, saying it is being unfairly blamed for broader industry and societal challenges.

The parliamentary report recommended a complete ban on social media for children under 15 and proposed a night-time “digital curfew” for those aged 15 to 18, restricting access between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. The inquiry was launched after a 2024 lawsuit filed by seven French families accusing TikTok of exposing their children to content linked to self-harm and suicide.

The social media ban forms part of Macron’s broader policy push as he enters the final and politically challenging year of his presidency, with a divided parliament and unresolved budget negotiations for 2026 still looming.

Around the world, New Year traditions reflect culture, belief, and hope

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Around the world, New Year traditions reflect culture, belief, and hope

As the world ushers in a new year, countries mark the occasion with traditions rooted in history, faith, and cultural symbolism, highlighting both diversity and shared aspirations for renewal and good fortune.

In Spain, the arrival of the new year is timed to the clock’s final 12 chimes, with revelers eating one grape for each stroke. The custom, observed nationwide, is believed to bring luck and prosperity for every month of the year.

In Japan, New Year’s Eve is marked by solemn reflection rather than revelry. Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times in a ritual known as Joya no Kane, symbolizing the cleansing of earthly desires and human flaws as people prepare for spiritual renewal.

In the Philippines, the focus is on prosperity. Families wear polka-dotted clothing, display round fruits, and jingle coins in their pockets, embracing the belief that circular shapes attract wealth and abundance in the year ahead.

In Denmark, friendship and good fortune are celebrated through an unusual custom: smashing old plates at the doors of friends and relatives. A doorstep littered with broken dishes is considered a sign of strong relationships and good luck.

In Scotland, New Year’s Eve, or Hogmanay, features the tradition of “first-footing,” in which the first visitor to enter a home after midnight brings symbolic gifts such as coal, bread, or whisky—tokens of warmth, sustenance, and cheer for the coming year.

In Brazil, crowds dressed in white gather along the coast to jump seven waves at midnight while making wishes. The ritual honors Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea, and is believed to bring protection and blessings.

In parts of South Africa, particularly Johannesburg, the new year is welcomed by discarding old furniture and appliances, symbolizing the act of letting go of the past. Authorities have since regulated the practice due to safety concerns.

From quiet moments of reflection to vibrant public rituals, these traditions underscore a common global desire: to begin the new year with hope, renewal, and the promise of better days ahead.

89% ng Pinoy sasalubong sa 2026 nang may pag-asa — SWS

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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89% ng Pinoy sasalubong sa 2026 nang may pag-asa — SWS

MAYNILA, Philippines — Siyamnapu’t walong porsiyento (89%) ng mga Pilipinong nasa hustong gulang ang sasalubong sa 2026 nang may pag-asa sa halip na pangamba, ayon sa non-commissioned survey na isinagawa ng Social Weather Stations (SWS) noong Nobyembre.

Ito ay bahagyang mas mababa ng isang puntos mula sa 90% noong 2024 at pitong puntos na pagbaba mula sa 96% noong 2023. Ang naturang antas ay katumbas ng naitalang 89% noong 2009, na itinuturing na pinakamababang optimism rate sa loob ng 16 na taon.

Samantala, 11% ng mga Pilipino ang magsisimula ng 2026 na may pangamba, mas mataas ng isang puntos mula sa 10% noong 2024 at pitong puntos mula sa 3% noong 2023. Ito rin ang pinakamataas na naitalang porsiyento ng pangamba mula noong 2009.

Ayon sa SWS, unang sinukat ang pagtingin ng mga Pilipino sa pagsalubong ng Bagong Taon noong pagtatapos ng 2000, kung kailan 87% ang nagpahayag ng pag-asa. Nasa antas na 80% pataas ang resulta sa mga taon 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2009 at 2025, habang umabot sa 90% pataas mula 2002, 2003, 2006 hanggang 2008, at mula 2010 hanggang 2024.

Ang tanong sa survey ay: “Ang darating na taon ba ay inyong sasalubungin nang may pag-asa o may pangamba?” na may pagpipiliang sagot na “Sasalubungin ang darating na taon nang may pag-asa” at “Sasalubungin ang darating na taon nang may pangamba.”

Ipinakita rin ng November 2025 survey na 68% ng mga Pilipino ang inaasahang magiging masaya ang Pasko (“masaya”), 7% ang inaasahang magiging malungkot (“malungkot”), at 25% ang nagsabing hindi ito magiging masaya o malungkot.

Mas mataas ang antas ng pag-asa sa pagsalubong ng Bagong Taon sa mga umaasang magiging masaya ang Pasko (92%), kumpara sa mga nagsabing neutral ang Pasko (83%) at sa mga umaasang magiging malungkot ito (79%). “Palaging mas mataas ang pag-asa para sa darating na Bagong Taon sa mga umaasang magiging masaya ang Pasko,” ayon sa SWS.

Batay sa rehiyon, pinakamataas ang antas ng pag-asa sa Balance Luzon sa 92%, sinundan ng Metro Manila sa 90%, Visayas sa 85%, at Mindanao sa 84% noong Nobyembre 2025. Kung ihahambing sa pagtatapos ng 2024, bumaba ang pag-asa sa Mindanao ng limang puntos mula 89%, at sa Visayas ng dalawang puntos mula 87%. Nanatili naman sa 92% ang Balance Luzon at halos hindi nagbago sa Metro Manila mula 91%.

Natuklasan din sa survey na mas mataas ang antas ng pag-asa sa mga may mas mataas na antas ng edukasyon. Noong Nobyembre 2025, ang optimism rate ay 93% sa may ilang senior high school education, 91% sa college graduates, at 90% sa junior high school graduates. Mas mababa ito sa elementary graduates (86%) at non-elementary graduates (81%).

Kung ikukumpara sa pagtatapos ng 2024, bumaba ang pag-asa mula 96% sa college graduates at mula 89% sa elementary graduates. Nanatili naman sa 93% ang may ilang senior high school education, halos hindi nagbago sa junior high school graduates (91%), at sa non-elementary graduates (83%).

Nauna nang iniulat ng SWS na 29% ng mga Pilipinong nasa hustong gulang ang nagsabing gumanda ang kanilang kalidad ng buhay sa nakalipas na taon (“gainers”), habang 36% ang nagsabing ito ay lumala (“losers”). Para sa susunod na 12 buwan, 44% ang umaasang gaganda ang kanilang kalidad ng buhay (“optimists”), 38% ang naniniwalang mananatili ito, at 8% ang nagsabing ito ay lalala (“pessimists”).

Ayon sa SWS, gamit ang census weights at tamang pag-round ng datos, 13% ng respondents ay mula sa Metro Manila, 45% sa Balance Luzon, 19% sa Visayas, at 23% sa Mindanao. Pantay na 50% ang mula sa urban at rural areas. Ang ratio ng lalaki at babae ay 1-to-1 at salit-salitang isinama sa sampling.

Batay sa edad, 11% ay kabataan na may edad 18–24, 20% ay 25–34, 20% ay 35–44, 16% ay 45–54, at 33% ay 55 taong gulang pataas. Sa antas ng edukasyon, 10% ang may hanggang ilang elementary education, 27% ang nagtapos ng elementary o may ilang high school education, 30% ang nagtapos ng junior high school o vocational, 22% ang may ilang senior high school, nagtapos ng senior high school o vocational, o may ilang college, at 11% ang college graduates o may post-graduate studies.

Ang Fourth Quarter 2025 Social Weather Survey ay isinagawa mula Nobyembre 24 hanggang 30, 2025 sa pamamagitan ng face-to-face interviews sa 1,200 adults (18 taong gulang pataas) sa buong bansa—tig-300 sa Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao. Ang sampling error margins ay ±3% para sa national percentages at ±6% para sa bawat lugar.

Ang area estimates ay tinimbang gamit ang Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) medium-population projections para sa 2025 upang makuha ang national estimates. Nilinaw ng SWS na ang mga survey items na ito ay non-commissioned at bahagi ng kanilang public service initiative.

Hong Kong welcomes 2026 without fireworks after deadliest blaze in decades

Venus L Peñaflor
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Hong Kong welcomes 2026 without fireworks after deadliest blaze in decades

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will usher in 2026 without its signature New Year’s Eve fireworks, marking a subdued start to the year following the territory’s deadliest fire in decades that claimed at least 161 lives.

Instead of the customary pyrotechnic display over Victoria Harbor, the Hong Kong Tourism Board organized a music program on Wednesday night in Central, the city’s main business district and home to the popular nightlife hub Lan Kwai Fong. Soft rock duo Air Supply headlined the event, alongside other performers, while the facades of eight major landmarks were transformed into synchronized countdown clocks culminating in a three-minute light show at midnight.

Fireworks have long been a centerpiece of Hong Kong’s celebrations for the New Year, Lunar New Year, and National Day, typically drawing hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists to both sides of the harbor. This year’s cancellation follows a massive blaze in late November at Wang Fuk Court, a residential complex in Tai Po, which authorities described as the city’s worst fire since 1948.

Rosanna Law, the territory’s secretary for culture, sports and tourism, acknowledged on Tuesday that the absence of fireworks would likely affect some hotels and restaurants. However, officials said the decision reflected the city’s collective mourning and sensitivity to families still reeling from the tragedy.

Annie Wang, a university student visiting from Shanghai, said she initially planned to watch the fireworks but understood the city’s decision. “It’s quite regretful. But there’s no way around it after the fire,” she said, describing news of the blaze as heart-wrenching.

Another visitor, Wang Miao, a teacher from neighboring Guangzhou, said she would still take part in the official countdown activities in Central despite the lack of fireworks. “It doesn’t affect our experience in Hong Kong,” she said, adding that while it was a pity to miss the pyrotechnics, the reason was understandable.

By early Wednesday evening, crowds had already gathered near the performance stage in Central, hoping to secure prime spots for the musical show as the city prepared to mark the new year in a more restrained tone.

The November fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court while the apartment complex was undergoing a months-long renovation, with buildings shrouded in bamboo scaffolding and green netting. Authorities have pointed to substandard netting and foam boards installed on windows as factors that contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. Thousands of displaced residents have since been relocated to transitional housing, hotels, and youth hostels, many struggling to recover from the loss of homes they spent years acquiring.

Hong Kong has previously canceled fireworks following major tragedies, including the 2013 National Day celebrations after a fatal ferry collision that killed 39 people, and the 2018 Lunar New Year festivities following a bus crash that left 19 dead. Fireworks displays were also scrapped during the 2019 anti-government protests and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the city steps into 2026 without its familiar bursts of light over the harbor, officials and residents alike signaled a desire to balance tradition with remembrance, choosing reflection and solidarity over spectacle.

Bagong Taon: Bagong pag-asa, pananagutan, at ang hamon ng 2026

Venus L Peñaflor
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Bagong Taon: Bagong pag-asa, pananagutan, at ang hamon ng 2026

Habang nagpapaalam ang lumang taon at sinasalubong ng bansa ang bagong simula, muling bumabalik sa sambayanang Pilipino ang mga salitang madalas inuukit tuwing Enero: pag-asa at pagbabago. Ngunit sa likod ng makukulay na paputok at masiglang pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon, nananatiling mabigat ang tanong na ano ba talaga ang dapat magbago?

Ang pagpasok ng 2026 ay darating sa gitna ng mabibigat na hamon na hindi kayang takpan ng selebrasyon. Patuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, patuloy ang pangamba sa food security, at nananatili ang panawagan para sa pananagutan laban sa korapsyon sa pamahalaan. Para sa maraming Pilipino, ang Bagong Taon ay hindi lamang simbolo ng panibagong simula, kundi pagkakataon upang suriin ang mga aral ng nakaraan.

Sa mga tahanan, nananatiling buhay ang mga tradisyong 12 bilog na prutas sa mesa, pag-iingay, pagsusuot ng polka dots na damit. Ngunit higit pa sa mga ganitong ritwal, ang tunay na diwa ng Bagong Taon ay makikita sa katuparan ng tahimik na mga pangako ng mas maayos na kabuhayan, mas ligtas na komunidad, at mas matatag na kinabukasan para sa pamilya.

Sa pagdaan ng 2025, inaasahang mas mulat at mapanuri ang sambayanang Pilipino, lalo na sa usapin ng pamamahala at halalan. Ang mga kontrobersyang kinasangkutan ng flood control projects, alegasyon ng budget insertion, at papel ng ilang kontratista ay nagsilbing malinaw na paalala sa halaga ng transparency at accountability sa paggamit ng pondo ng bayan.

Sinimulan na ng Gen Z ang pagkilos noong 2025 elections. Nagbukas na sila ng daan para sa matalinong halalan. Dapat itong ipagpatuloy, upang marating natin ang tunay na pagbabago.

Para sa mga manggagawa, ang bagong taon ay pag-asang may darating na mas magandang pagkakataon. Para sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda, ito ay panalangin na maging mas makatarungan ang sistema at mas maramdaman ang suporta. Para sa kabataan, ang 2026 ay panibagong kabanata ng pangarap at hamon ng responsableng pakikilahok sa lipunan.

Mula sa panig ng pamahalaan, inaasahan ng publiko na ang bagong taon ay hindi lamang pagbubukas ng bagong kalendaryo kundi ng mas malinaw na direksyon. Ang panawagan para sa transparency, mahusay na pamamahala, at tapat na serbisyo ay lumakas na dahil sa mga isyung bumalot sa nagdaang taon.

Hindi rin maikakaila na ang mga krisis, mula sa climate-related disasters hanggang sa pandaigdigang tensyon na patuloy na sumusubok sa kakayahan ng bansa na manatiling matatag. Sa ganitong konteksto, ang Bagong Taon ay paalala na ang katatagan ng Pilipino ay hindi lamang nasusukat sa pagtitiis, kundi sa kakayahang manindigan at makilahok sa reyalisasyon ng pagbabago.

Ang mga isyung ito ay nag-ambag sa mas malawak na kamalayan ng publiko na ang pagbabago ay hindi nagmumula sa mga pangako ng liderato, kundi sa aktibong pakikilahok ng mamamayan. Ang pagbabantay, pagtatanong, at paninindigan ay mahalagang bahagi na ng demokratikong proseso.

Ang Bagong Taon ay hindi awtomatikong nagdadala ng swerte at pagbabago. Ito ay imbitasyon sa bawat mamamayan at institusyon na gampanan ang kani-kanilang papel.

Sa 2026, ang tanong ay hindi kung ano ang hinihiling natin para sa bansa, kundi kung ano ang handa nating iambag para dito.

Sa pagharap ng bansa sa 2026, ang Bagong Taon ay may kalakip na pagkakataon upang ituwid ang landas ng pamamahala. Nawa’y magsilbi itong simula ng isang bagong direksyon, isang Pilipinas na mas may pananagutan, mas makatarungan, at mas nakaugat sa interes ng bayan.

Manigong Bagong Taon!

New Year’s Eve concerts at Kennedy Center canceled following Trump name addition

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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New Year’s Eve concerts at Kennedy Center canceled following Trump name addition

WASHINGTON D.C. — Several high-profile performances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts have been canceled following the center’s controversial renaming to include President Trump’s name, prompting a wave of withdrawals from artists and ensembles.

Veteran jazz ensemble The Cookers and New York-based Doug Varone and Dancers both announced the cancellation of scheduled performances, including two New Year’s Eve jazz shows and the dance company’s planned 40th anniversary performances in April.

In a statement, The Cookers said, “Jazz was born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom: freedom of thought, of expression, and of the full human voice.” Drummer Billy Hart later told The New York Times that the center’s name change had “evidently” influenced the decision, noting concerns over potential reprisals.

Doug Varone, director of the dance company, described the move as “financially devastating but morally exhilarating,” citing a projected loss of $40,000 by canceling the April performances.

Kennedy Center Chairman Richard Grenell dismissed the cancellations as politically motivated, labeling the artists as “far-left political activists” and criticizing their actions as “a form of derangement syndrome.” He previously threatened a $1 million lawsuit after the cancellation of an annual Christmas Eve jazz concert hosted by Chuck Redd.

This latest wave of cancellations follows earlier departures by prominent performers, including Pulitzer Prize winner Rhiannon Giddens, soprano Renée Fleming, and singer-songwriter Ben Folds, after President Trump replaced members of the Kennedy Center’s board of directors with his allies.

Folk singer Kristy Lee also pulled out of a free Jan. 14 concert, saying in a social media post, “I won’t lie to you, canceling shows hurts… But losing my integrity would cost me more than any paycheck.”

In their statement, The Cookers urged reflection rather than resentment, emphasizing a commitment to creating music that “reaches across divisions rather than deepening them.” Varone similarly criticized the center’s leadership changes, saying, “We can no longer permit ourselves nor ask our audiences to step inside this once great institution.”

The cancellations have heightened tensions at one of the nation’s preeminent arts centers, signaling continued fallout over the center’s renaming and the broader politicization of cultural institutions in Washington, D.C.

Finland researchers test system for wireless electricity delivery

Venus L Peñaflor
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Finland researchers test system for wireless electricity delivery

HELSINKI, Finland — Engineers and researchers in Finland have reported significant progress in the development of wireless power transmission systems, a technology that could eventually reduce reliance on traditional electrical cables for certain applications.

The research focuses on transmitting electrical energy through the air using carefully controlled electromagnetic fields, allowing power to move from a source to a receiver without physical connectors such as wires or plugs. Scientists say the system is designed to deliver energy safely across short to moderate distances in controlled environments.

Wireless power transfer itself is not new and is already used in everyday technologies such as contactless charging pads for smartphones and wearable devices. However, Finnish researchers are exploring more advanced methods that could extend the range and efficiency of wireless power delivery beyond current consumer applications.

According to engineers involved in the project, the technology relies on precisely tuned electromagnetic fields that allow receivers to extract power only when properly aligned and calibrated. This approach aims to minimize energy loss and prevent unintended exposure, addressing long-standing safety and efficiency concerns.

Researchers stressed that the technology is still in the experimental and pilot-testing stages and is not intended to replace existing power grids or household wiring in the near future. Instead, potential applications include powering sensors, industrial equipment, medical devices, and autonomous systems in locations where wired connections are impractical or unsafe.

Experts caution that while the breakthroughs represent meaningful progress, large-scale wireless electricity transmission for homes and cities remains a long-term goal that will require further testing, regulation, and infrastructure development.

The Finnish research adds to growing global efforts to improve wireless energy technologies, which scientists say could play a supporting role in future energy systems alongside conventional electrical networks.

‘Cabral files’ puwersahang kinuha ni Leviste sa tanggapan ng DPWH

Venus L Peñaflor
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‘Cabral files’ puwersahang kinuha ni Leviste sa tanggapan ng DPWH

MAYNILA — Puwersahang kinuha umano ni Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste ang mga dokumento at kopya ng mga files mula sa computer sa loob ng tanggapan ni yumaong dating Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral, pati na rin mula sa programming office ng ahensiya noong Setyembre, ayon sa ilang tauhan ng DPWH. Mariin namang pinabulaanan ni Leviste ang alegasyon.

Batay sa mga CCTV footage na nakuha noong hapon ng Setyembre 4, makikita si Leviste palabas ng tanggapan ni Cabral at patungo sa programming office habang kasunod niya si Cabral. May kuha rin sa footage na palabas ng programming office ang dalawa, at hawak ng mambabatas ang ilang papel habang tila nagpapaliwanag naman si Cabral.

Gayunpaman, sinabi ng ilang tauhan ng DPWH na hindi malinaw sa CCTV ang aktwal na pagkuha ng mambabatas habang nasa loob ng mga naturang tanggapan. Ayon sa isang empleyado, na tumangging magpabanggit ng pangalan, humiling si Leviste kay Cabral ng mga pangalan ng proponents o mambabatas para sa proyekto na nakalista sa General Appropriations Act (GAA) ng 2025.

Maya-maya, narinig umano ng mga tauhan ang malakas na kalabog sa loob ng tanggapan kaya’t nagtungo sila at nakita si Leviste na aktibong kumukuha ng mga dokumento. May hawak din umano itong cellphone at kinunan ng video ang lahat ng papel.

Ayon sa mga empleyado, nagkaroon pa umano ng insidente kung saan nasaktan si Cabral habang nakikipag-agawan ng dokumento kay Leviste. Maraming dugo umano sa mga dokumento at sa damit ni Cabral, samantalang tuloy-tuloy lang sa pagkuha ng video at larawan si Leviste. Sa isa pang CCTV footage, makikita si Cabral na may bandage sa kanyang kamay habang kausap ang isang tao sa telepono.

Ayon sa mga empleyado, tila naiinip si Leviste sa ini-imprentang mga dokumento at nagtungo ito sa opisina kung saan doon nag imprenta upang puwersahang kopyahin ang mga files sa computer. Dakong alas-6:00 ng gabi, umalis umano si Leviste sa DPWH noong araw na iyon.

Nagpasya ang ilang empleyado na magsalita dahil sa mga kamakailang aksyon ni Leviste. Dismayado umano sila dahil patay na si Cabral, subalit nag-iimbento pa rin umano ang mambabatas ng mga kuwento tungkol sa insidente.

Nauna dito, sinabi ni Leviste na ang mga dokumento ay iniabot sa kanya mismo ni Cabral alinsunod sa instruksiyon ni DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon. Mariin niyang itinanggi na ilegal ang pagkuha nito.

Thieves drill Into German bank vault, steal tens of millions in property

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Thieves drill Into German bank vault, steal tens of millions in property

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — Thieves broke into a bank vault in Gelsenkirchen on Monday, stealing tens of millions of euros worth of property from safety deposit boxes, authorities reported.

Police said the heist, which occurred during the holiday lull, affected some 2,700 bank customers at the Sparkasse branch. Investigators estimate the value of the stolen items to be between 10 million and 90 million euros ($11.7 to 105.7 million), making it one of Germany’s largest reported bank thefts, according to German news agency dpa.

The bank remained closed on Tuesday, drawing around 200 customers demanding access. Police and firefighters were first summoned to the branch shortly before 4 a.m. Monday after a fire alarm was triggered. Upon arrival, authorities discovered a hole in the wall and a ransacked vault. Officials believe the robbers used a large drill to break through the basement wall.

Witnesses reported seeing several men carrying large bags in a nearby parking garage over the weekend. Security footage captured masked individuals inside a stolen vehicle early Monday, police said.

Gelsenkirchen is located approximately 120 miles northwest of Frankfurt. Investigations into the robbery are ongoing.

Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen port city over separatist weapons shipment from UAE

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen port city over separatist weapons shipment from UAE

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes on Yemen’s port city of Mukalla on Tuesday, citing what it described as an imminent security threat following the arrival of a weapons shipment allegedly sent from the United Arab Emirates to separatist forces operating in the area.

In a military statement released by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, Riyadh said the strikes targeted weapons and military vehicles unloaded from two vessels that arrived in Mukalla from Fujairah in the UAE. Saudi authorities claimed the ships’ crews had disabled tracking devices before unloading arms and combat vehicles in support of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), an Emirati-backed separatist group.

“The aforementioned weapons constitute an imminent threat and an escalation that threatens peace and stability,” the statement said, adding that coalition air forces conducted a “limited airstrike” against the materiel. There was no immediate confirmation of casualties.

The bombing underscored growing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the expanding influence of the STC, whose recent advances in Yemen’s eastern Hadramout governorate have alarmed Riyadh. Analysts warned the confrontation risks opening a new front in Yemen’s decade-long war, pitting nominal allies against one another as they remain opposed to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

UAE officials denied Saudi allegations that they shipped weapons to separatist forces. In a statement issued hours after the strike, the Emirati Foreign Ministry said the vehicles sent to Mukalla were intended “for use by the UAE forces operating in Yemen” and asserted that Saudi Arabia had prior knowledge of the shipment. The ministry called for “the highest levels of coordination, restraint and wisdom” amid what it described as persistent security challenges.

The STC and allied factions issued statements backing the UAE’s presence in Yemen, even as other anti-Houthi groups aligned with Saudi Arabia demanded that Emirati forces withdraw from the country within 24 hours. The STC’s AIC satellite channel aired footage from Mukalla following the strike but avoided showing damage to armored vehicles, warning that attacks on ports and civilian infrastructure would fuel calls for the declaration of a separate South Arabian state.

Yemen’s anti-Houthi forces declared a state of emergency and announced the suspension of cooperation with the UAE. They imposed a 72-hour ban on border crossings, as well as restrictions on airports and seaports under their control, except for those authorized by Saudi Arabia.

According to shipping data analyzed by the Associated Press, one of the vessels believed to have been targeted was the Greenland, flagged out of St. Kitts, which departed Fujairah on Dec. 22 and arrived in Mukalla on Sunday. A second vessel had yet to be identified.

Mukalla, located about 480 kilometers northeast of Aden, has become a focal point after STC forces recently seized control of parts of Hadramout, displacing units affiliated with the Saudi-backed National Shield Forces. Saudi airstrikes last week against STC positions were widely seen as a warning for the separatists to halt their advance.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday directly linked the STC’s territorial gains to Emirati actions for the first time, describing them as “extremely dangerous.” Allies of the council later signaled they would not retreat, highlighting the deepening rift between the two Gulf neighbors.

The escalation adds to instability in a country already devastated by war that has killed more than 150,000 people and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. It also comes as Houthi forces continue attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea corridor, further complicating regional security dynamics.

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