MAE SAI, Thailand: Elite divers on Sunday began the extremely dangerous operation to extract 12 boys and their football coach who have been trapped in a flooded cave complex in northern Thailand for more than two weeks, as looming monsoon rains threatened the rescue effort.
The “Wild Boars” team has been stuck in a cramped chamber several kilometers (miles) inside the Tham Luang cave complex since June 23, when they went in after football practice and were hemmed in by rising waters.
Their plight has transfixed Thailand and the rest of the world, as authorities have struggled to devise a plan to get the boys and their coach out through twisting, narrow and jagged passageways that in some places are completely flooded.
“Today is the D-day. The boys are ready to face any challenges,” rescue chief Narongsak Osottanakorn told reporters near the cave site as weather forecasters warned of more monsoon rains late on Sunday that would cause more flooding in the cave.
Narongsak said the first boy was expected to be brought out of the cave by around 9:00 p.m. (1400 GMT), meaning the trip would take around 11 hours.
The boys, aged from 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach were found disheveled and hungry by British cave diving specialists nine days after they ventured in.
But initial euphoria over finding the boys alive quickly turned into deep anxiety as rescuers raced to find a way to get them out, with Narongsak at one point dubbing the effort “Mission Impossible.”
The death of a former Thai Navy Seal diver who ran out of oxygen in the cave on Friday underscored the danger of the journey even for adept professionals.
Saman Kunan had been trying to establish an air line in a flooded area with oxygen tanks when he passed out and perished.
After a short deluge of rain on Saturday night and with more bad weather forecast, Narongsak on Sunday said authorities had to act immediately.
“There is no other day that we are more ready than today,” he said. “Otherwise we will lose the opportunity.”
Between the operating base manned by Thai Navy Seals inside the cave and the trapped boys are twisting, turning cave passageways with torrents of water gushing through.
The water in the cave is muddy and unclear, with one diver comparing it to a cafe latte. Ropes have been installed to help guide the boys through the darkness.
Narongsak said Sunday two divers would accompany each of the boys out of the cave.
Rescuers had fed a kilometers-long air pipe into the cave to restore oxygen levels in the chamber where the team was sheltering with medics and divers.
More than 100 exploratory holes had also been bored — some shallow, but the longest 400 meters deep — into the mountainside in an attempt to open a second evacuation route and avoid forcing the boys into the dangerous dive.
On Saturday, Thai Navy SEALS published touching notes scrawled by the trapped footballers to their families, who had been waiting for them agonizingly close by outside the cave entrance.
The boys urged relatives “not to worry” and asked for their favorite food once they were safely evacuated, in notes handed to divers.
In one, Pheerapat, nicknamed “Night,” whose 16th birthday the group were celebrating in the cave when they became stuck on June 23, said: “I love you, Dad, Mum and my sister. You don’t need to be worried about me.”
The coach, Ekkapol Chantawong, who many Thais have criticized for leading the boys into the cave, also apologized.
“To all the parents, all the kids are still fine. I promise to take the very best care of the kids,” he said in a note given to divers on Friday.
“Thank you for all the moral support and I apologize to the parents.”
Rescue efforts for boys trapped in Thai cave begin
Rescue efforts for boys trapped in Thai cave begin
- The ‘Wild Boars’ team has been stuck in a cramped chamber several kilometers inside the Tham Luang cave complex since June 23
- The coach, Ekkapol Chantawong, who many Thais have criticized for leading the boys into the cave, has apologized
India withdraws from Pakistan-hosted T20 Blind World Cup after failing to secure clearance--ESPNcricinfo
- Pakistan is scheduled to host T20 Blind Cricket World Cup from Nov. 22-Dec. 3
- Political tensions have limited cultural exchanges and sports contests between both sides
ISLAMABAD: The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) announced on Wednesday that its blind cricket team was withdrawing from the upcoming T20 Blind Cricket World Cup in Pakistan, citing its failure to secure clearance from New Delhi to travel to the neighboring country, sports website ESPNcricinfo reported.
The T20 Blind Cricket World Cup was scheduled to be held in Pakistan from Nov. 22 — Dec. 3. Political tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan have restricted cultural exchanges and bilateral sports events between the two nations.
Both countries have fought three wars, two of them over the Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part.
“While this is a significant setback for the team, CABI fully respects the government’s concerns and the decision for the same,” the board said in a statement, as per ESPNcricinfo. “The team had been training rigorously and was eager to compete. However, we prioritize the government’s guidance and remain steadfast in our commitment to the continued development of Blind Cricket in India.”
Durga Rao Tompaki, the captain of the Indian men’s cricket team for the blind, said the decision was “disheartening” for his team.
“However, we know that the next World Cup is just around the corner, and we remain committed to our training and preparation,” Tompaki said.
India’s decision takes place 100 days ahead of the start of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is also set to be held in Pakistan in February/March next year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the ICC this month that India will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
The ICC informed the PCB following which Pakistan demanded an explanation. Pakistan has repeatedly insisted it will not agree for the tournament to be shifted to another country and has insisted India travel to the country for the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all of India’s games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid hosting model for the tournament. Several months later Pakistan traveled to India for the 50-over World Cup.
Political tensions between the countries have led to the India team avoiding travel to Pakistan since 2008 and the two have tended to only compete together in multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups. Pakistan also traveled to India in 2012 for a bilateral ODI series.
Saudi authorities seize huge drug haul, arrest hundreds
- The smugglers included 456 Ethiopians, 269 Yemenis, a Somali, a Sri Lankan and 23 Saudi citizens
Riyadh: Saudi authorities recently made several drug-related arrests and confiscations in operations across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The General Directorate of Border Guard thwarted an attempt to smuggle 939 kg of hashish, 82,409 amphetamine pills, 291,499 regulated tablets, and 103 tonnes of qat.
The smugglers included 456 Ethiopians, 269 Yemenis, a Somali, a Sri Lankan and 23 Saudi citizens. They were arrested in Tabuk, Jazan, Asir and Najran.
Meanwhile, in Jazan, Border Guard patrols foiled attempts to smuggle 90 kg and 140 kg of qat in Al-Dayer and Al-Arda, respectively.
In the Al-Raboah sector of Asir, patrols arrested five Yemenis and Ethiopians attempting to smuggle 120 kg of qat.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested an Ethiopian in Al-Makhwah, Baha, for smuggling hashish and amphetamines, and four Saudi citizens in Jazan for smuggling 5.4 kg of hashish.
Security authorities reiterated their call for the public to report any information concerning drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions.
Individuals with information may also contact the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or through email at [email protected]. Information will be treated with strict confidentiality.
Spared from Indonesian firing squad, Filipina convict to return home after years of protests
- Mary Jane Veloso has been in Indonesian prison since 2010, awaiting execution
- She will be returned to the Philippines through a transfer of prisoners, authorities say
Jakarta: A Philippine woman who was spared from execution on drug trafficking charges in Indonesia is set to be transferred to her homeland, officials in Manila and Jakarta said on Wednesday, after nearly 15 years of protests and outcry over her case in both countries.
Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina domestic worker, was arrested in Yogyakarta in 2010 for allegedly smuggling 2.6 kg of heroin from Malaysia into Indonesia. She denied the charge, saying she was tricked by a recruiter to bring a suitcase with the drugs hidden in its seams.
Indonesian and Philippine officials announced on Wednesday that a deal has been reached to fulfill Manila’s longstanding request for Veloso to be brought back home to serve her sentence in her country.
“We are doing a transfer of prisoners. We will transfer the convict, and the Philippines will implement the sentence handed down by the Indonesian court,” Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Indonesia’s coordinating minister for law, human rights, immigration and correctional institutions, said in a video statement.
“We have submitted the conditions (for the transfer), and it has been accepted by the Philippine government,” he said. “Once she is returned to the Philippines, it is within the authority of President Marcos to grant her pardon … We remain consistent in our ways; Indonesia has never granted pardon for drug convicts.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday morning, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made the first announcement that Manila had reached an agreement to bring Veloso back to the Philippines after more than a decade of negotiations with the Indonesian government.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government for their goodwill,” he said. “Thank you, Indonesia. We look forward to welcoming Mary Jane home.”
Indonesia has one of the world’s harshest anti-narcotics laws, and drug trafficking is punishable by death.
Veloso had been due to be executed by firing squad in 2015 after an Indonesian court convicted her of drug trafficking and gave her the death penalty. But she was granted a stay of execution at the 11th hour to testify in a human trafficking case against her recruiter in the Philippines.
The case has sparked numerous protests in both Indonesia and the Philippines, where people demanded Jakarta spare her from the firing squad. The Philippine government has also sought clemency for Veloso in high-level bilateral meetings, including when former President Joko Widodo visited Manila in January.
Should Veloso’s transfer proceed, it would remove the possibility of her facing an execution, as the Philippines has long abolished the death penalty.
US envoy Hochstein says will travel to Israel on Wednesday
US envoy Amos Hochstein, speaking from Beirut, said he would travel to Israel later on Wednesday as he seeks a truce in the Israel-Hezbollah war.
“The meeting today built on the meeting yesterday and made additional progress, so I will travel from here in a couple hours to Israel to try to bring this to a close if we can,” Hochstein told reporters after meeting with parliament speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally who has led mediation efforts on behalf of the Iran-backed group.
Egyptian luxury label Okhtein launches Dubai store ahead of Saudi opening
DUBAI: Egyptian luxury label Okhtein, which has been touted by celebrities including Beyonce, Halle Berry and Gigi Hadid, has opened its first outlet in Dubai, its first bricks-and-mortar presence in the Gulf before it expands in Saudi Arabia in 2025.
Founded by sisters Aya and Mounaz Abdel Raouf, Okhtein combines Middle Eastern artistry with global fashion appeal.
On the decision to open in Dubai, Aya told Arab News: “Dubai is the fashion hub of the Middle East, and it’s easily accessible for international clients. It’s a key city in the GCC region’s fashion scene and holds a special place for us.”
Mounaz said that Okhtein’s signature design elements, such as gold plating, crystals and Swarovski embellishments, resonate with the Gulf clientele’s preference for detailed, opulent pieces. “That ‘bling’ element is something our customers really gravitate toward,” she said.
After the opening of the Dubai store, Okhtein plans to expand further with a boutique in Riyadh’s Kingdom Mall, anticipated for early 2025. Mounaz described the Saudi market as a “natural next step.”
“The luxury market in Saudi Arabia presents a huge opportunity. It’s a large and growing market, with a clientele that is familiar with our brand. Many Saudi clients already buy from us when they visit Egypt, so we’re confident that we’ll be welcomed with open arms,” Mounaz said.
Reflecting on Okhtein’s growing international presence, Aya said: “We’re honored by the international recognition, and it drives us to push the brand even further. It’s both a happy and humbling feeling.
“We’re committed to showing the world the Arab luxury dream, and while we’ve come a long way, there’s still much more to achieve,” she added.
One standout moment for the sisters was when US model Gigi Hadid showed off Okhtein bags on social media.
“She styled three of our bags in a very cool and unexpected way. Gigi is the perfect fusion of Arab and international influences, and her styling and persona made the moment even more special for us. Seeing our bags on her was truly exciting,” Mounaz said.
The label also collaborated with French luxury brand Balmain for its spring/summer 2023 collection, creating a statement bustier created from worn-out resin.
