In a significant maritime operation, the European Union and Indian navies successfully intercepted a pirate-controlled vessel off the coast of Somalia. The Iranian fishing ship, Issamohamadi, had been repurposed by pirates as a ‘mother ship’ to facilitate a series of attacks, culminating in the seizure of the Malta-flagged tanker, Hellas Aphrodite. The tanker was en route from India to South Africa with a cargo of gasoline when it was hijacked last week. The EU naval force, Operation Atalanta, confirmed that the Issamohamadi had been abandoned by the pirates and was boarded by a team from the Spanish frigate ESPS Victoria. The original crew of the dhow was found in good health and freed. The EU force stated that the pirate group operating in the area has been ‘definitely disrupted,’ and evidence collected will be used to prosecute the perpetrators. Somali piracy, which peaked in 2011 with 237 attacks, had diminished due to international naval patrols and a stronger Somali government. However, pirate activity has resurged recently, partly due to instability caused by Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea. In 2024, there have been seven reported incidents off Somalia, with the Hellas Aphrodite being the first commercial ship seized since May 2024.
作者： admin
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Evidence of ancient tree-climbing ‘drop crocs’ found in Australia
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have uncovered Australia’s oldest known crocodile eggshells, believed to belong to the enigmatic ‘drop crocs’—tree-climbing crocodiles that once roamed the continent. The 55-million-year-old eggshells were found in a sheep farmer’s backyard in Queensland, with the findings published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. These eggshells are linked to the mekosuchines, an extinct group of crocodiles that thrived in inland waters when Australia was still connected to Antarctica and South America. Co-author Prof. Michael Archer, a palaeontologist at the University of New South Wales, described these creatures as ‘bizarre,’ suggesting they may have hunted like leopards, dropping from trees onto unsuspecting prey. The mekosuchines, which could grow up to five meters in length, were abundant long before their modern counterparts arrived in Australia around 3.8 million years ago. The eggshells were discovered decades ago but were only recently analyzed with the assistance of Spanish scientists. This discovery complements earlier findings of younger mekosuchine fossils in 25-million-year-old deposits elsewhere in Queensland. Prof. Archer has been part of a team excavating a clay pit in Murgon since the early 1980s, a site renowned as one of Australia’s oldest fossil locations. The area, once a lush forest, was home to the world’s oldest-known songbirds, Australia’s earliest frogs and snakes, and a variety of small mammals with South American connections. Prof. Archer recounted how he and a colleague first approached the farmer in 1983, leading to the excavation of this prehistoric treasure trove. He expressed optimism that further digging will reveal even more surprises from this ancient ecosystem.
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Adnic posts 15% profit surge as strategic partnerships drive growth
Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (Adnic), a leading multi-line insurer in the UAE, has announced a robust financial performance for the first nine months of 2025, with a 15.3% surge in net profit before tax, reaching Dh395 million. This growth is attributed to the company’s strategic partnerships, operational efficiency, and sustained expansion across its core business segments. Gross written premiums also saw a significant increase of 17.4% year-on-year, totaling Dh7.21 billion, reflecting strong performance across all business lines. Adnic maintained a combined ratio of 93.2%, showcasing its disciplined underwriting practices and operational excellence. A key development during the third quarter was Adnic’s long-term collaboration with Allianz Trade in the Middle East, aimed at enhancing access to Trade Credit Insurance for UAE businesses. This partnership leverages Adnic’s local expertise and Allianz Trade’s global capabilities in credit risk management, enabling businesses to safeguard cash flows, mitigate payment default risks, and pursue growth opportunities with confidence. Aligning with the UAE’s vision for an innovation-driven economy, Adnic has invested in integrating artificial intelligence into its operations to improve efficiency, streamline processes, and elevate customer experience. Additionally, Adnic reinforced its social impact initiatives through a partnership with the Sheikh Zayed Housing Program (SZHP), offering specialized life insurance solutions to eligible UAE nationals, thereby supporting financial security and national housing priorities. Sheikh Mohamed bin Saif Al Nahyan, Chairman of Adnic, emphasized the company’s resilience and commitment to sustainable value creation, stating, ‘Adnic’s strong results reflect our prudent risk management and role as a key enabler of the UAE’s economic growth.’ Charalampos Mylonas, CEO of Adnic, highlighted the company’s focus on innovation and customer-centric growth, noting that the partnership with Allianz Trade and digital transformation efforts have significantly enhanced operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. For the first nine months of 2025, Adnic’s total insurance revenue reached Dh6.1 billion, a 16.1% increase year-on-year, while net insurance service results rose by 23.9% to Dh382.3 million. Investment income also grew by 10.4% to Dh223.3 million, and profit after tax stood at Dh354.7 million. As of 30 September 2025, Adnic’s total assets amounted to Dh10.6 billion, with shareholders’ equity at Dh3.6 billion.
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Super Typhoon Fung-wong may lash Philippines again on November 12
Super Typhoon Fung-wong, locally referred to as Uwan, is poised to re-enter the Philippines’ Area of Responsibility (PAR) on November 12, despite its current weakened state as it approaches Taiwan. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the typhoon has sustained maximum winds of 95 km/h near its center, with gusts reaching up to 115 km/h. While the storm is expected to make landfall on Taiwan’s southwestern coast, several areas in Luzon, including Batanes, Cagayan, and Ilocos Norte, remain under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1. Pagasa forecasts that the typhoon will emerge near the Ryukyu Islands by Thursday, eventually weakening into a remnant low by Friday. The storm’s potential return comes just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi caused significant damage in the Philippines, prompting the evacuation of over a million residents as floodwaters surged. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and prepare for possible impacts.
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AD Ports group charts course for hybrid human-AI workforce
AD Ports Group, a global leader in trade, logistics, and industry, is spearheading a transformative approach to workforce integration by blending human expertise with artificial intelligence (AI). The company’s recently unveiled blueprint, titled ‘Building Human-AI Teams: AD Ports Group’s Blueprint for Tomorrow’s Workforce,’ outlines a visionary strategy to create a hybrid human-AI workforce. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency, resilience, and sustainable growth across its international operations. The blueprint emphasizes the integration of AI across various organizational layers, including port operations, logistics, finance, human resources, and customer experience. Central to this transformation are agentic AI systems—autonomous digital co-workers designed to handle repetitive, data-intensive, and predictive tasks, thereby freeing human employees to focus on creativity, innovation, and strategic decision-making. Mohamed Jamal-Eddine, Group Chief Information Officer at AD Ports Group, highlights that the future workforce will be defined by synergy between humans and AI, with agentic intelligence playing a pivotal role in learning, adapting, and collaborating. The company’s AI-powered systems are already delivering tangible results, such as the Vessel Speed Optimiser, which achieves 3% fuel savings and a 98% on-time arrival rate, and the Container Balancer, which boosts container utilization by up to 90%. Additionally, the Intelligent Workforce Scheduler has reduced HR processing times by over 90%. Sultan Al Ghaithi, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, underscores the importance of upskilling initiatives to develop AI literacy and digital fluency among employees. AD Ports Group’s approach is not about replacing humans with machines but amplifying human potential by automating routine tasks and enabling higher-value contributions. This forward-looking strategy positions the company at the forefront of the next industrial evolution, demonstrating how human-AI collaboration can drive productivity, innovation, and sustainability in a rapidly changing global landscape.
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McIlroy aims to overtake one of European golf’s greatest players in Dubai
Rory McIlroy, the reigning Masters champion, is poised to make history at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai this weekend. With a commanding 767-point lead over his closest competitor, Marco Penge, McIlroy is on the verge of securing the Harry Vardon Trophy for an unprecedented seventh time. This achievement would see him surpass the legendary Seve Ballesteros, who holds six titles, and edge closer to Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight. McIlroy’s dominance in the Race to Dubai standings has been consistent, as he aims to claim the season-long title for the fourth consecutive year. The Northern Irishman is well aware of the stakes, with 2,000 points awarded to the winner of the final Rolex Series event at Jumeirah Golf Estates. While victory is not guaranteed, McIlroy remains focused on delivering a strong performance. Reflecting on his recent form, McIlroy highlighted his impressive showing at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, where he extended his lead with a flawless 62 on Sunday. He expressed optimism about maintaining his momentum in Dubai, a tournament he has won three times, including last year. McIlroy’s confidence is bolstered by the DP World Tour’s announcement of the Rory McIlroy Award, a new annual trophy honoring Europe’s first Career Grand Slam winner. The award will recognize the DP World Tour member with the best performance across all four major championships in a season. McIlroy joins an elite group of golfing legends, including Harry Vardon and Seve Ballesteros, in having a tour award named after him. As he prepares for the season finale, McIlroy remains determined to cement his legacy as one of European golf’s greatest players.
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NRI Biz Matters: Google’s multifaceted investments in India to boost digital infrastructure
Google is set to make a transformative investment in India, focusing on enhancing digital infrastructure and accelerating AI-driven innovation. The tech giant’s multifaceted plan includes the development of gigawatt-scale data centers and the establishment of a new international subsea gateway in Visakhapatnam. These initiatives, supported by advanced energy infrastructure, aim to bring cutting-edge technology to enterprises, fostering AI innovation and digital growth across the country. The project is a collaboration with the Adani Group and will feature Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), significantly boosting compute capacity for deep learning, neural network training, and large-scale AI model inference. This investment is expected to create an ecosystem that accelerates AI solutions in healthcare, logistics, finance, and agriculture, among other sectors. Upon completion, the new data center campus will join Google’s global network of AI data centers spanning 12 countries. The Visakhapatnam subsea gateway will connect to Google’s extensive terrestrial and subsea cable network, positioning the city as a global AI hub. Analysts predict this initiative will generate substantial economic and societal opportunities for both India and the United States, marking a generational leap in AI capabilities. Additionally, the hub will deliver high-performance, low-latency services, enabling organizations to scale their AI-powered solutions and accelerate research and development. In parallel, India is addressing the rise in cybercrime and bank frauds through initiatives like the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre and the use of MuleHunter.AI to detect and monitor mule accounts. The Reserve Bank of India is also developing a digital payments intelligence platform to strengthen risk management in the banking system.
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Serbia’s energy reliance on Russia comes unstuck facing US oil sanctions
Serbia finds itself in a precarious position as US sanctions on its national oil company, NIS, exacerbate tensions with its traditional ally, Russia. Russian state-owned energy giants Gazprom and Gazprom Neft control over 50% of NIS, placing the company in a bind following the sanctions imposed last month due to its ties to Russia’s energy sector. Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic revealed that NIS’s Russian shareholders have sought a US waiver, signaling their willingness to transfer control to a third party. However, time is running out, with Serbia’s oil refineries expected to exhaust their crude supply by the end of November. The sanctions have already disrupted NIS’s operations, forcing its petrol stations to stop accepting Visa and Mastercard payments, while Croatia has halted oil deliveries via the Janaf pipeline. Serbia is not alone in facing such challenges; neighboring Bulgaria has moved to nationalize its sole oil refinery ahead of impending sanctions. Meanwhile, Hungary secured a one-year waiver from US sanctions, highlighting the region’s divergent responses. The crisis has strained Serbia’s historically close ties with Russia, particularly over energy and arms trade. While Serbia relies on Russian gas at favorable rates, Moscow appears reluctant to renew the supply deal, leaving President Aleksandar Vucic ‘very disappointed.’ Additionally, Serbia’s arms exports to third countries, which indirectly support Ukraine, have further soured relations. Despite these challenges, Vucic remains committed to Serbia’s EU integration, a stance that may be reinforced by the current crisis. The outcome of the US waiver request remains uncertain, but the episode underscores the broader geopolitical shifts reshaping the Balkans.
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How jihadists have brought a nation to a standstill with their fuel blockade
Mali, a landlocked West African nation, is grappling with a severe fuel crisis that has disrupted daily life and exposed the government’s vulnerabilities. The crisis stems from a blockade orchestrated by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group, which has targeted fuel convoys entering Mali. Over the past two months, JNIM fighters have kidnapped drivers, torched more than 100 trucks, and effectively cut off fuel supplies to the capital, Bamako. This economic warfare has paralyzed the country, forcing schools and universities to close, driving up food prices, and leaving hospitals struggling with power cuts. The crisis has also sparked international concern, with the US and France advising their citizens to avoid or leave Mali. The fuel shortage has led to long queues at petrol stations, with some drivers resorting to sleeping at stations in hopes of refueling. Public transport fares have tripled in some areas, forcing many to walk long distances to work. Traders report that food prices have surged due to increased transport costs and dwindling supplies of imported goods. The blockade has highlighted the government’s inability to secure key transport routes and maintain public confidence. In response, the military-led government has implemented emergency measures, including escorting fuel convoys with army trucks and negotiating a fuel supply agreement with Russia. However, critics argue that the junta’s reactive approach has failed to address the root causes of the crisis. The fuel shortage has also deepened Mali’s reliance on Russia, potentially alienating Western aid and investment. For ordinary Malians, the crisis has brought immense hardship, raising fears of increased crime and a worsening security situation. Amidou Diallo, a welder, warns that prolonged shortages could lead to dangerous consequences. As Mali struggles to navigate this crisis, the government faces mounting pressure to restore stability and regain public trust.
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Ben Sulayem, Macron reaffirm partnership between France and FIA
In a landmark meeting, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed the enduring partnership between France and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The discussions underscored shared priorities in motorsport, road safety, sustainable mobility, and the protection of young people online. France, home to the FIA’s headquarters in Paris, remains a cornerstone of the Federation’s legacy, with Macron and Ben Sulayem celebrating the nation’s pivotal role in global motorsport. From the historic Paris–Rouen trial in 1894 to the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans, France has consistently driven innovation and economic impact in the industry, supporting over 1,000 jobs and contributing €162 million annually to the French economy. The leaders also addressed France’s representation in the FIA Formula 1 Championship, the contributions of French manufacturers and promoters, and the facilitation of visas for FIA delegates. Joining the meeting were Yann de Pontbriand, President of the Automobile Club de France (ACF), and Pierre Gosselin, President of the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile (FFSA). Their discussions emphasized the central role of these clubs in promoting safe and responsible mobility and motorsport. Road safety and sustainable mobility were key focal points, with Ben Sulayem and Macron exchanging views on initiatives like the FIA Driver Safety Index, a groundbreaking AI-powered tool to measure driver risk. The leaders also highlighted the FIA’s United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign, which aligns with France’s policies on social media safety for children. By combining regulation, education, and technology, the campaign aims to create safer, more inclusive environments for the global sporting community. Ben Sulayem remarked, ‘Today highlights the deep and historic connection between France and the FIA, a bond that stretches back to the founding of our Federation in Paris over a century ago. Together, we are committed to advancing safer roads, more sustainable and accessible mobility for all, and fostering innovation in motorsport that benefits communities worldwide.’