South African authorities have come under intense scrutiny following the detention of over 150 Palestinian travelers, including a woman in her ninth month of pregnancy, on a plane for approximately 12 hours due to issues with their travel documentation. The incident occurred at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on Thursday morning after the charter flight made a stopover in Nairobi, Kenya. According to the Border Management Authority, the passengers lacked exit stamps from Israeli authorities, failed to specify their intended length of stay in South Africa, and did not provide local addresses, prompting immigration officials to deny them entry. A pastor who visited the stranded passengers described the conditions as unbearable, with extreme heat causing children to scream and cry. The situation was resolved late Thursday night after the Ministry of Home Affairs intervened, and the NGO Gift of the Givers offered to accommodate the travelers. Of the 153 passengers, 23 have since departed for other countries, leaving 130 in South Africa. This marks the second such incident in two weeks, with both flights reportedly carrying individuals from war-torn Gaza. The treatment of the travelers has sparked outrage, particularly given South Africa’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause. Many of the passengers now intend to seek asylum in South Africa, a right guaranteed under the country’s constitution.
作者： admin
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Shanghai a hot hub for addressing intl commercial disputes
Shanghai has solidified its position as a leading global hub for resolving international commercial disputes, according to senior officials from the city’s courts. This development comes as Chinese courts, with Shanghai at the forefront, have been recognized for their fairness and efficiency in handling such cases. The World Bank’s recent business ranking placed Chinese courts second in public recognition and third in perceived fairness among 103 global economies, highlighting Shanghai’s pivotal role in this achievement. Lu Weimin, deputy secretary of the Party leadership group and vice-president of the Shanghai High People’s Court, emphasized the city’s commitment to enhancing the quality and efficiency of foreign-related commercial trials, ensuring equal protection for both domestic and foreign investors. The establishment of the Shanghai International Commercial Court in December 2024 has been a cornerstone of this progress. In the first three quarters of 2025, the court handled 1,600 cases involving foreign commercial disputes and arbitration judicial reviews, with a total disputed amount exceeding 21.5 billion yuan ($3.02 billion). Parties involved in these cases hailed from 39 countries and regions. One notable case involved the efficient resolution of a Mongolian arbitration award application within 39 days, which was recognized as a typical example involving the Belt and Road Initiative by China’s Supreme People’s Court. To bolster its professional adjudication capabilities, the court established an international commercial expert committee, initially appointing 20 high-level experts, including eight from overseas. The Shanghai Maritime Court also reported an increase in cases, with 544 first-instance maritime cases accepted in the first three quarters of 2025, marking a nearly 20 percent increase. In terms of rulemaking, seven cases from Shanghai courts have been included in the official case database of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, providing a Chinese model for the accurate application of international conventions. The Shanghai International Commercial Court concluded the country’s first case referencing a document of the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods in February, contributing a Chinese example for the global uniform application of the convention. Additionally, Shanghai courts have excelled in the digitalization of cross-border litigation services, achieving a 100 percent electronic service rate for newly filed cases, with online hearings used in nearly 80 percent of them. The Shanghai Maritime Court explored a mechanism of comprehensive authorization for overseas litigation entities, which has been applied in 400 cases and reduced average processing time by about 30 days and litigation costs by nearly 10,000 yuan per case. Werner Schuppisser, a Swiss national and cofounder of a company bringing Swiss ice cream to Shanghai, shared his positive experience with the Shanghai Jing’an district court, which helped resolve a dispute and saved his company. Schuppisser praised the professionalism, efficiency, and impartiality of the Shanghai judges, which he believes provides a business environment that allows his firm to continue to grow.
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Illustrating the rich tapestry of Chinese life
China Daily’s Times’ Palette Studio has unveiled a remarkable project that encapsulates the essence of ‘Min Sheng’—the people’s livelihood—through a series of 24 illustrations. This initiative, launched during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), underscores the nation’s commitment to equitable development and the shared prosperity of Chinese-style modernization. The project employs ‘time’ as the warp and ‘Min Sheng’ as the weft, weaving a rich tapestry of life across 24 hours, each hour depicted in a standalone watercolor illustration. These scenes, though distinct, are interconnected, showcasing various aspects of China’s progress in economic development, education, healthcare, elder care, employment, technology, culture, agriculture, and national defense. Each illustration serves as a unique ‘Chinese expression,’ collectively forming a warm and expansive scroll of the people’s livelihood. From the vibrant neon lights of urban centers to the serene moon over borderlands, and from the precision of high-tech laboratories to the comforting aromas of street food vendors, these images vividly capture the warmth and resilience of Chinese life in the new era. The story unfolds through these 24 snapshots, each offering a window into a specific moment and facet of life in contemporary China.
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Turkey holds funeral for 20 military personnel killed in Georgia plane crash
Turkey conducted a solemn funeral ceremony on Friday to honor 20 military personnel who tragically lost their lives in a plane crash in Georgia. The incident occurred on Tuesday when a C-130 military cargo aircraft, en route from Ganja, Azerbaijan, to Turkey, crashed in Georgia’s Sighnaghi municipality near the Azerbaijani border. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The victims included crew members and military personnel who were responsible for the maintenance and repair of Turkish F-16 jets. These jets had been deployed to Azerbaijan to participate in the country’s Victory Day celebrations, commemorating Azerbaijan’s 2020 military triumph over Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, a decades-long territorial dispute. The funeral ceremony took place at an airbase in Ankara, where families, officials, and fellow soldiers paid their respects to the 20 flag-draped coffins. The deceased were subsequently transported to their hometowns for burial. In response to the tragedy, Turkey has temporarily grounded its remaining 18 C-130 military cargo planes as a precautionary measure pending technical inspections. These aircraft are integral to Turkey’s armed forces, primarily used for personnel transport and logistical operations. An accident investigation team has been dispatched to the crash site, and the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder are currently being examined in Ankara. The National Defense Ministry confirmed that there was no ammunition on board the aircraft at the time of the crash.
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Watch: Bear runs onto airport tarmac, halting flights
A surprising incident unfolded at a Japanese airport on Wednesday when a bear unexpectedly wandered onto the tarmac, causing a temporary suspension of flights. The unusual occurrence disrupted airport operations as authorities swiftly responded to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. Wildlife experts were called in to safely capture and relocate the bear, which had strayed from its natural habitat. The incident highlights the challenges of human-wildlife coexistence in urbanized areas and the need for effective wildlife management strategies. Airport officials later confirmed that normal operations resumed after the situation was resolved, with no injuries reported.
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Fresh off commissioning new aircraft carrier, China starts sea trials of amphibious assault ship
China has commenced sea trials for its cutting-edge amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan Type 076, marking another significant milestone in its ambitious naval modernization program. The vessel, which departed from Shanghai’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard on Friday, represents a hybrid design, combining features of an aircraft carrier and traditional amphibious assault ships. It is capable of launching both aircraft and landing craft equipped with troops, enhancing its operational versatility. The Sichuan is approximately half the size of China’s latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which was commissioned on November 7, with a displacement of around 40,000 tons. Both vessels were domestically designed and constructed, underscoring China’s growing self-reliance in advanced military technology. While specific technical details remain undisclosed, amphibious assault ships are generally faster than carriers, offering greater flexibility, though they are more vulnerable to attacks and carry fewer aircraft. China’s navy, already the largest in the world by ship count, continues to expand its capabilities under President Xi Jinping’s vision of achieving a fully modernized force by 2035 and a world-class military by mid-century. The Sichuan’s development is particularly significant in the context of potential military operations involving Taiwan, as amphibious assault ships would play a crucial role in any invasion scenario. Equipped with an advanced electromagnetic catapult system, similar to that on the Fujian, the Sichuan surpasses its U.S. counterparts, the America-class and Wasp-class ships, which lack such technology. The trials will test the vessel’s ability to launch fixed-wing aircraft, including drones and potentially crewed fighter jets, further solidifying China’s position as a formidable naval power.
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Modi’s coalition leads in a key Indian state election
In a significant political development, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is poised for a decisive victory in the Bihar state elections. Early trends from the Election Commission of India indicate that the NDA is expected to secure 200 out of the 243 seats in the state legislature, far surpassing the 122-seat threshold required to form a government. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Modi’s party, is projected to win 90 seats independently. Bihar, India’s third-most populous state with nearly 130 million residents, holds immense political significance due to its substantial representation in the lower house of parliament. The state’s political dynamics often set trends across India’s Hindi-speaking heartland, making this victory a critical indicator of the NDA’s national influence. The election, conducted in two phases, unfolded against a backdrop of widespread concerns over unemployment, law and order, and alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions. Both Modi and his opponents engaged in intense campaigns, characterized by mass rallies, aggressive welfare messaging, and direct voter outreach. As the NDA’s lead became apparent, jubilant celebrations erupted in Patna, the state capital, with supporters waving party flags, dancing to drum beats, and lighting firecrackers.
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China’s Shenzhou XX astronauts to return to Earth
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has announced that the Shenzhou XX crew, consisting of astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, is scheduled to return to Earth on Friday aboard the Shenzhou XXI spacecraft. The landing is set to take place at the Dongfeng site in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with all systems and personnel prepared for a safe touchdown. The astronauts are reported to be in excellent health despite the challenges faced during their mission. Originally planned for November 5, the return was delayed due to a suspected collision with minuscule space debris, which necessitated additional safety checks and adjustments. The CMSA also revealed plans for the future launch of the Shenzhou XXII spacecraft, though the exact timing remains unspecified. This mission underscores China’s growing capabilities in space exploration and its commitment to advancing human spaceflight endeavors.
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A minibus carrying Chinese tourists crashes in Bali, killing 5 passengers
A devastating minibus accident occurred on Friday morning on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, resulting in the deaths of five Chinese tourists and injuries to eight others. The incident took place as the vehicle was traveling from the southern to the northern part of the island on a winding, downhill road. According to Ida Bagus Widwan Sutadi, the police chief of Buleleng regency, the driver lost control of the minibus, causing it to veer off the asphalt road and crash into a community garden, where it struck a tree. Sutadi attributed the accident to the driver’s lack of caution while navigating the turn and descent. The road in the Padangbulia village area was dry at the time of the crash. The injured passengers were promptly treated at two local hospitals, while the Indonesian driver, who did not require medical attention, was arrested. This tragic event highlights the ongoing issue of road safety in Indonesia, where accidents are frequent due to inadequate safety standards and infrastructure.
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Hurdles remain over second phase of Gaza ceasefire deal
A month into the Gaza ceasefire agreement, relative calm has been restored to the region. However, experts warn that the second phase of negotiations, which involves critical issues such as Hamas’ disarmament and Israeli withdrawal, faces significant challenges. A prolonged deadlock could reignite conflict, jeopardizing the fragile peace established since October 10 after over two years of intense fighting. The first phase of the ceasefire, focused on humanitarian aid and the exchange of hostages and prisoners, has shown tangible results. Hamas has released 20 living hostages and the remains of 24 others, while Israel has returned the bodies of approximately 300 Palestinians. Humanitarian aid has also improved, with over 37,000 metric tons of supplies transported into Gaza by the UN and its partners. Despite these achievements, the truce remains precarious, with both sides accusing each other of violations and sporadic skirmishes continuing. According to the Gaza health authorities, at least 245 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began. Analysts, including Niu Xinchun of the China-Arab Research Institute and Shu Meng of Shanghai International Studies University, highlight mutual suspicion, internal divisions, and fundamental disagreements on core issues as major obstacles to advancing negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to disarm Hamas and demilitarize Gaza, while Hamas views concessions as an existential threat. The US-proposed 20-point plan, which outlines the second phase of negotiations, has been criticized for failing to address Hamas’ demands and lacking a credible path toward a two-state solution. Experts argue that without addressing these underlying issues, the ceasefire’s future remains uncertain.