News
Gale-Force Winds Ground Flights, Disrupt Transport Across Beijing and Northern China
Severe gales battered Beijing and parts of northern China on Saturday, grounding hundreds of flights, halting rail services, and prompting widespread closures of public spaces and tourist sites.
As of 11:30 a.m. local time (03:30 GMT), 838 flights had been cancelled at the capital’s two major airports, according to Reuters. The disruption comes amid powerful wind gusts reaching up to 93 mph (150 kph)—the strongest recorded in Beijing in more than 50 years.
The extreme weather, driven by a cold vortex system over Mongolia, is forecast to persist through the weekend. In response, authorities issued an orange alert—the country’s second-highest warning—for high winds, the first of its kind in a decade.
Public transport was heavily affected, with services on the airport express subway and several high-speed rail lines suspended. Parks across the city were closed, and preventive measures were taken to secure older trees. Despite these efforts, nearly 300 trees were reported toppled, damaging multiple vehicles. No injuries have been reported.
Residents were urged to remain indoors, and many heeded the warnings. “Everyone in Beijing was really nervous. Today, the streets are nearly empty. Still, it wasn’t as bad as I feared,” one resident told Reuters.
A traveler from Zhejiang province described being stranded after his return flight was cancelled. “All flights last night and today were suspended due to the winds. I’ll probably have to rebook in a few days,” he said.
State media also issued unusual warnings, advising that individuals weighing under 50 kilograms (110 pounds) might risk being blown over in the open.
China’s wind force scale ranges from level 1 to 17. According to the China Meteorological Administration, winds at level 11 can cause “significant damage,” while level 12 and above are classified as “extremely destructive.” This weekend’s conditions are expected to fall between levels 11 and 13, with a gradual easing by Sunday.
Diaspora Watch – Vol. 44 (April 28 – May 4, 2025)
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The world is abuzz with breaking news, and the 44th edition of Diaspora Watch is your passport to the most critical global developments. From the hallowed halls of the Vatican to the bustling streets of Geneva, our spotlight shines bright on the stories that matter most.
Witness the high-stakes diplomatic dance between the US and Iran, as they hold new talks in Oman amid a push for a nuclear deal. Meanwhile, in Rome, hundreds of thousands pay their respects to Pope Francis, while Trump and Zelensky hold a pivotal meeting at the Vatican.
In Sudan, the crisis deepens as displaced people resort to eating leaves and charcoal to survive. The world watches with bated breath as the situation unfolds.
California has overtaken Japan as the world’s fourth-largest economy, while the threat of crypto investment scams looms large, with $5.8 billion lost in 2024 alone.
Oluwatobiloba Amusan returns to action in the Xiamen Diamond League, and the world waits with anticipation for the selection of a new Pope. Who will be the next leader of the Catholic Church?
The Caribbean Investment Summit in Antigua brings together leaders and investors, while Qatar’s aviation scholarships and training opportunities are a beacon of hope for CARICOM citizens.
These and many more are for your reading pleasure. Dive into the 44th edition of Diaspora Watch and stay informed about the stories shaping our world.
Top negotiators from the United States and Iran are set to meet again in Oman on Saturday, aiming to make progress towards a new agreement that would curb Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear programme.
The meeting will involve Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, and Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who will negotiate indirectly through Omani mediators.
The talks follow a productive round of discussions in Rome last week, which both sides described as constructive.
The new discussions are expected to begin at expert level, with the aim of setting the stage for direct talks between the two lead negotiators.
US President Donald Trump expressed confidence in securing a deal, saying: “I think we’re going to make a deal with Iran.”
However, significant differences remain over the nuclear dispute, which has persisted for over two decades.
The US has withdrawn from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers and imposed a stringent “maximum pressure” campaign on Tehran, reimposing crippling sanctions. In response, Iran has breached the terms of the pact, particularly in its nuclear activities.
Iran has accelerated its uranium enrichment, reaching up to 60% purity, a significant step towards the 90% purity required for weapons-grade uranium.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that a new deal would require Iran to cease all uranium enrichment and import any enriched uranium it needs for its Bushehr nuclear power plant.
However, Tehran is unwilling to make such concessions, insisting that ending its enrichment programme or surrendering its enriched uranium stockpiles are “red lines” that cannot be crossed.
Iranian officials have stated that their country will consider negotiating some limits on its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.
The talks have also highlighted concerns over Iran’s missile programme, which Tehran insists is non-negotiable.
An Iranian official said that Tehran views its missile programme as an even greater obstacle to reaching an agreement than its nuclear work.
The outcome of these talks will have significant implications for regional and global security, and it remains to be seen whether the two sides can find common ground.
A successful deal would not only benefit the two countries but also contribute to regional and global stability.
Prime Minister of Grenada, Honourable Dickon Mitchell, attended the 2025 Caribbean Investment Summit (CIS25) in Antigua and Barbuda.
The summit, themed “Integrity. Stability. Sustainability — CBI Pathway to Economic Prosperity,” provided a platform for regional leaders to discuss investment strategies and economic development.
During the Stakeholder Impact Session, “Adapting to the New Regulatory Era,” the Prime Minister engaged with other Caribbean leaders, Heads of Citizenship by Investment Units (CIUs), and senior officials on strengthening the region’s investment ecosystem.
The session focused on advancing the summit’s core pillars of integrity, stability, sustainability, and economic prosperity.
A closed-door meeting followed, where Prime Ministers, CIU Heads, and the Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC) deliberated on regional investment and development strategies.
The summit aimed to foster collaboration and drive economic growth in the Caribbean region.
Diaspora Watch – Vol. 44
US, Iran to Hold New Talks in Oman Amid Nuclear Deal Push
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