Travelers to Lebanon are seeking a quick and secure way out of the country, as Israel ramps up its attacks on Hezbollah. Governments worldwide have also facilitated evacuations, encouraging their citizens to leave before the situation worsens.
Annika finally made it to the airport in Beirut. She was supposed to leave next week, but the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants shortened her stay. Now, the only thing on her mind is getting back home.
"It's horrible. And you have drones flying over your house and things like that. I didn't feel afraid, but I also have to leave in the future for work, and I don't know, it's so insecure. Maybe I don't want to stay here for another few weeks," said Annika, a traveler leaving Lebanon.
Although everything seemed calm and far away for the first few days, the scene changed quickly in Beirut. Israeli airstrikes intensified, causing many to flee as fast as they could.
"I'm very worried because you don't know what can happen from day to day. You're living like second to second. You don't know what's going to happen. And it's very, very stressful. And this has to come to an end, you know? So, it's time. It's time to go," said Tania, another traveler leaving Lebanon.
The fighting, which has escalated over the past few weeks, has forced the evacuation of thousands of tourists and people with dual citizenship, leaving many scrambling to the airport to secure any available flight in an atmosphere of ongoing strikes. Governments have stepped in to assist with these evacuations, using various channels to reach those who need help.
"We have been using social media a lot to get the message out. [For] our foreign minister, prime minister, and the embassy here in Lebanon, we have been putting out on Twitter, on Facebook, and on Instagram the message that the crisis is here, you need to leave now as soon as possible. And still some don't get the message. But we're getting there, because we've got a good pick-up today, we're getting close to 500 people out on two assisted departures to Cyprus today. And we'll probably continue that for a few days," said Andrew Barnes, Australian ambassador to Lebanon.
The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Australia have all sent government representatives to Beirut to help people who want to leave or need support. Though the first couple of days were chaotic, as many were fleeing, the evacuation now seems to be proceeding steadily. Although Beirut and its airport are still relatively safe, governments urge their citizens to leave before things worsen.
"We've been dealing with this crisis for a while now, and our government has been urging Australians in Lebanon to return home because we were fearful that the situation could escalate. Now it has escalated badly and we are urging all Australians to come to the airport and get on a flight. There are still flights going, the airports still open. They need to leave now because we don't know how the crisis might escalate," Barnes said.
Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its airstrikes against Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, causing great civilian casualties and forcing residents in many areas to leave their homes. It has also launched what it describes as a "limited" ground operation in Lebanon.
Countries facilitate citizens' evacuation from Lebanon as fighting intensifies
Countries facilitate citizens' evacuation from Lebanon as fighting intensifies
Countries facilitate citizens' evacuation from Lebanon as fighting intensifies
Fundamental changes are taking place quietly, in the sprawling halls of the ongoing CIIE's Future Mobility area modern innovators are re-imagining how humanity travel on smarter carriers with more fun and less harm to planet Earth.
At the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) this year, the automotive section dazzled with the theme "Mobility: Infinite Possibilities for the Future."
"Intelligence" has been a buzz word for many among the transportation tool exhibitors. A myriad of intelligent transportation methods and groundbreaking concepts are on display, igniting the imagination about the future of travel.
One standout attraction is a special tricycle concept vehicle, making its debut in China. Such innovative design marries the stability of a four-wheeler with the agility of a two-wheeler, the exhibitor's staff said.
"We have installed a smart steering system which can switch between two driving modes based on road conditions. In this way, when turning around in the narrow space of the city, the vehicle would be very nimble at corners, and it drives with great pleasure," said Qin Hua, an exhibitor.
Beyond new technologies and concepts, novel materials are opening new horizons for automotive design.
In a corner of the exhibition, another exhibitor showcases what might be the future of automotive architecture - a skeleton of pure carbon fiber which weights merely 206 kilos, less than tenth of a luxury family sedan.
"This is the first full carbon fiber body skeleton in China. The frame accounts for 80 percent of the body volume, but only one-tenth of the body weight. Compared with traditional aluminum bodies, the carbon fiber one can reduce the weight by more than 30 percent, which not only realizes lightweight, but achieves better security. This product has entered mass production at present, and carbon fiber is also being used more and more in low-altitude aircraft to help our future travel making more possibilities and imagination come true," said Chen Wenjin, the exhibitor.
Another key word of this year's car exhibits is "green." From plant-based seats to recyclable wheels and batteries, the ethos of sustainability permeates everything from car interiors to components. The future of mobility is not just smarter but greener too.
In the botanical garden of automotive innovation, a concept cockpit has also drawn great attention. Solar cells, thin as leaves, are integrated into its roof, harvesting energy much like photosynthesis. The energy can physically drive the car while powering the air conditioner and other electrical facilities.
"The middle of the roof is integrated with a thin film for solar power generation, and photovoltaic cells are placed around it. The cells enable green energy supply inside the car, which is not only environmental-friendly, but also able to extend the endurance range. It is estimated that the range can be increased by more than 2,000 kilometers each year," said Xu Wei, another exhibitor.
The seventh CIIE, taking place from Tuesday to Sunday in Shanghai, has drawn participants from 152 countries, regions, and international organizations, setting a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and other industry leaders scheduled to attend.
Smart, sustainable cars highlighted at CIIE to reshape future transit