In a surprising turn of events, Turkey has been selected to host the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, following Australia’s decision to withdraw its bid. The announcement came during the ongoing COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil, where negotiations led to an unprecedented compromise. Under UN regulations, the hosting rights for COP31 were to be awarded to a group of countries including Western Europe and Australia, but neither party was initially willing to concede. After intense discussions, Australia agreed to support Turkey’s bid in exchange for its climate minister, Chris Bowen, chairing the talks. This arrangement marks a departure from the traditional practice of the COP president being from the host country, raising questions about how this partnership will function in practice. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the agreement as an ‘outstanding result,’ emphasizing the importance of Pacific issues in the global climate agenda. However, some Pacific leaders, including Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko, expressed disappointment over Australia’s withdrawal. The compromise ensures that a pre-COP meeting will be held on a Pacific island, while the main event takes place in Turkey. The decision has been welcomed by delegates at COP30, who were concerned about the potential embarrassment of failing to reach an agreement. Turkey’s bid was bolstered by its decision to step aside in 2021, allowing the UK to host COP26 in Glasgow. If no compromise had been reached, the event would have been held in Bonn, Germany, the headquarters of the UN’s climate body. The agreement is expected to be ratified by the 190+ countries attending COP30, with no significant objections anticipated.
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Video: Indian Gangster Anmol Bishnoi in NIA custody after extradition from US
Anmol Bishnoi, a key associate of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has been extradited from the United States and placed in the custody of India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) for an 11-day remand. The special NIA Court at Patiala House granted the remand on Wednesday, and Bishnoi is scheduled to reappear before the court on November 29. Bishnoi, who had been absconding since 2022, is the 19th accused in a terror-gangster conspiracy case led by his brother Lawrence Bishnoi. The NIA alleges that Anmol Bishnoi played a pivotal role in coordinating terrorist activities from abroad, providing logistical support to gang operatives, and engaging in extortion. He is also linked to high-profile crimes, including the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique and the shooting outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence. Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi emphasized Bishnoi’s involvement with the Babbar Khalsa International gang and their efforts to revive the Khalistan Movement. Bishnoi’s legal team has pledged full cooperation with the investigation while denying any involvement in terrorist activities. Security was heightened around the court complex during the proceedings, and the NIA discreetly transported Bishnoi from Delhi Airport to avoid potential threats. The case underscores India’s ongoing efforts to dismantle the nexus between organized crime, terrorism, and arms smuggling.
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Design your own masterpiece at the Dubai Watch Week
The Dubai Watch Week, a premier event for watch enthusiasts and collectors, has kicked off its grandest edition yet, marking its 10th anniversary. Spanning an impressive 200,000 square feet at Burj Park, the exhibition showcases over 90 global watch brands, offering everything from quirky everyday timepieces to exquisite handmade creations worth millions of dirhams. The event, which runs until November 23, is free to the public upon online registration.
On the opening day, Ahmed Seddiqi unveiled ten limited-edition watches, crafted in collaboration with renowned watchmakers to commemorate the company’s 75th anniversary. Among these, one platinum-crafted edition is limited to just three pieces, though prices remain undisclosed. The event also features the Studio Underdog pavilion, where visitors can design their own watches, with winning designs to be released in limited quantities next year.
For the first time, Swiss watchmakers Rexhep Rexhepi are exhibiting, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their meticulous craftsmanship. Each watch takes approximately a year to create, with every detail handcrafted, from the leather straps to the intricate mechanisms. Despite the secrecy surrounding their prices, these timepieces are highly sought after and difficult to source.
The Dubai Watch Week continues to be a hub for innovation and tradition in the watchmaking industry, attracting horophiles from around the globe.
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An anti-migrant group in South Africa is blocking foreigners from health clinics
In the early hours of the morning, Tholakele Nkwanyana and members of Operation Dudula, a South African anti-immigrant group, gather at the Diepsloot public health clinic in Johannesburg. Their mission is not to seek medical care but to prevent foreigners from accessing it. Dressed in military-style attire, they block the clinic’s entrance, demanding identity documents and turning away mothers with children and the sick, directing them to private hospitals that charge fees. This scene has become increasingly common across Gauteng, South Africa’s most populous province, as healthcare becomes the latest flashpoint in the nation’s contentious immigration debate. Despite a Johannesburg High Court order to cease harassing migrants, Operation Dudula vows to appeal, claiming their actions prioritize South Africans amid a perceived overburdening of resources. South Africa, Africa’s most developed economy, attracts migrants from neighboring countries like Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Lesotho, as well as from Nigeria and Ethiopia. In the year ending March 31, nearly 47,000 undocumented migrants were deported, an 18% increase from the previous year. Operation Dudula, which has grown in visibility, has also targeted foreign-owned businesses and schools, accusing migrants of exacerbating South Africa’s 31% unemployment rate. The group’s organized structure, including regional leaders and public engagements, hints at potential political ambitions. South Africa’s government condemns these actions, emphasizing that healthcare is a universal right. However, police resources are stretched thin in a country with high crime rates, limiting their ability to protect clinics. Recent arrests of Operation Dudula members in Soweto highlight the group’s aggressive tactics. The South African Human Rights Commission warns of a global rise in anti-immigrant sentiment, urging against scapegoating migrants for systemic healthcare failures. South Africa spends 8.5% of its GDP on healthcare, yet faces overcrowded hospitals, medication shortages, and crumbling infrastructure. Meanwhile, migrants like Blessing Tizirai and Nonhlanhla Moyo, who fled Zimbabwe’s collapsed public health system, face life-threatening barriers to care. As tensions escalate, Zimbabwe’s government refuses to fund its citizens’ treatment in South Africa, even as its political elite seek medical care abroad.
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Emirates, Air Canada extend codeshare partnership until 2032
In a significant move to bolster their strategic collaboration, Emirates and Air Canada have announced the extension of their codeshare partnership until December 2032. This decision comes on the heels of a highly successful three-year partnership that has already served over 550,000 passengers across 56 codeshare destinations, connecting Canada, the United States, Dubai, and other major global hubs. The renewed agreement, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, aims to deepen cooperation between the two aviation giants, enhance passenger and cargo services, and explore new Canadian gateways within their shared network. Additionally, the airlines are considering a joint cargo project to optimize the global movement of goods. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized that the partnership will strengthen the airline’s capabilities, offering customers a more seamless travel experience and expanded connectivity. Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President, highlighted the success of the collaboration, which prompted the early renewal and extension of the agreement. This partnership is expected to significantly boost tourism and trade between Canada and the UAE, while providing travelers with greater flexibility and supporting efficient cargo operations across the Americas, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.
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Ukrainian teen saboteurs recruited on Telegram to attack their own country
In a chilling revelation, a Ukrainian teenager, now 18, has confessed to attempting to plant a bomb in a military conscription van under the direction of Russian handlers. The young man, identified only as Vlad to protect his identity, was promised $2,000 for the act of sabotage. However, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) had been monitoring him, ultimately thwarting the attack. Vlad is now awaiting trial on terrorism charges, which could result in a 12-year prison sentence.
Vlad’s case is part of a broader pattern of Russian recruitment of Ukrainian minors for sabotage and attacks against their own country. According to the SBU, over 800 Ukrainians, including 240 minors, have been recruited by Russia in the past two years. Some of these recruits are as young as 11, with reports of attempts to recruit children as young as nine.
The recruitment primarily occurs on platforms like Telegram, TikTok, and even video game platforms. The handlers exploit financial desperation, offering payments for increasingly dangerous tasks. Vlad, for instance, was initially reluctant but was persuaded to undertake a series of assignments, culminating in the bomb plot. He was paid a fraction of the promised cryptocurrency, highlighting the manipulative nature of these recruitments.
Ukrainian officials have publicly named suspected Russian intelligence agents involved in these operations. While the BBC has not independently verified the Russian state’s direct involvement, several European governments have reported evidence of Russian agents recruiting young men for acts of vandalism, arson, and surveillance.
The SBU has been proactive in countering these threats, conducting awareness campaigns in schools and removing some of the recruitment channels on Telegram. However, many of these channels remain active, with some even growing in subscribers. Telegram has stated that calls to violence are explicitly forbidden and removed when discovered, but the persistence of these channels suggests a significant challenge.
Vlad’s story serves as a stark warning to others tempted by such offers. ‘It’s not worth it,’ he says. ‘They will either cheat you, and then you will end up in prison just like me, or you can take a bomb in your hands and it will simply blow you up.’
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India expands visa-on-arrival for UAE nationals to 9 international airports
India has significantly expanded its visa-on-arrival (VoA) facility for UAE nationals, now including nine international airports across the country. The Indian Embassy in the UAE announced that Cochin, Calicut, and Ahmedabad airports have been added to the list, which previously included Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai. This move aims to streamline travel for UAE citizens who have previously obtained an e-Visa or regular visa for India. First-time visitors, however, must still apply for an e-Visa or regular visa before their trip. The VoA facility is available for UAE nationals visiting India for business, tourism, conference, or medical purposes, with a stay not exceeding 60 days. Applicants must hold a passport with a minimum validity of six months and may be required to provide proof of sufficient funds, accommodation, and a return or onward ticket. The VoA is non-extendable and non-convertible, but there are no restrictions on the number of times it can be availed. Notably, this facility is not available to individuals with Pakistani origins or residency. The application process involves filling out a form upon arrival, either online or via the ‘Indian Visa Su-Swagatam’ mobile app, and paying a fee of Rs 2,000 (Dh83) per passenger. This expansion follows the UAE’s earlier decision in February 2025 to broaden its visa-on-arrival program for Indian nationals, allowing entry with valid visas or residency permits from additional countries, including Singapore, Japan, and Australia.
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Hasina’s conviction for crimes against humanity is testing India-Bangladesh ties
The longstanding relationship between India and Bangladesh has reached a critical juncture, with the exile and death sentence of Bangladesh’s former leader Sheikh Hasina creating a complex diplomatic bind. Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for 15 years, was a key ally for India, ensuring stability and connectivity in the region while aligning with Delhi’s interests over Beijing’s. However, her crackdown on student-led protests in 2024 led to her ousting and subsequent exile in India, where she has been granted asylum. A special tribunal in Bangladesh has sentenced her to death for crimes against humanity, but India has shown no inclination to extradite her, leaving the sentence unenforceable.
This situation has placed India in a precarious position. South Asia expert Michael Kugelman outlines four unappealing options for Delhi: extraditing Hasina, maintaining the status quo, pressuring her to remain silent, or finding a third country to take her in. Each option carries significant risks, particularly as Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, seeks to rebalance its foreign policy by reducing reliance on India and strengthening ties with China, Pakistan, and Turkey.
The India-Bangladesh relationship is deeply intertwined, with Bangladesh being India’s largest trading partner in South Asia and India serving as Bangladesh’s biggest export market in Asia. Over the past decade, India has provided billions in concessional credit, built cross-border infrastructure, and supplied energy and raw materials. Despite this economic interdependence, public sentiment in Bangladesh has soured, with a recent survey revealing that 75% of Bangladeshis view ties with China positively, compared to just 11% for India. Many blame Delhi for supporting Hasina’s increasingly authoritarian regime.
Experts argue that while political and diplomatic relations may fluctuate, economic and cultural ties often endure. However, the current situation poses significant challenges for India, particularly in managing border security and counterterrorism efforts along the 4,096 km shared border. The path forward, according to Avinash Paliwal of SOAS University of London, requires quiet and patient engagement with key stakeholders in Dhaka, including the armed forces.
The uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh’s upcoming elections adds another layer of complexity. If the interim government can conduct credible elections, it may open opportunities for India and Bangladesh to renegotiate their relationship. However, the Hasina factor remains a wildcard, with the potential to strain bilateral ties further. Ultimately, the next elected government in Bangladesh will need to balance core national interests against domestic politics and public sentiment, making the future of India-Bangladesh relations fragile at best.
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Exclusive: Saudi-US defence partnership will fast track arms sales, sources say
In a significant move to bolster military cooperation, the United States and Saudi Arabia have inked a Strategic Defence Agreement (SDA), paving the way for expedited arms sales to the kingdom. The deal, signed by US President Donald Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marks a pivotal shift in bilateral relations, with Saudi Arabia poised to gain access to cutting-edge US defence technology, including the coveted F-35 warplanes. The agreement, currently under detailed negotiation by US officials, is expected to position Saudi Arabia ahead of other Gulf states in acquiring sophisticated US weaponry. A former senior US official revealed that the Saudis have received Trump’s approval to secure the best in defence technology, despite Israeli lobbying efforts to limit the capabilities of the F-35s sold to the kingdom. Beyond the F-35, Saudi Arabia is exploring futuristic weapons systems like Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones, designed to operate alongside manned aircraft. The kingdom is also in talks with US firms, including Shield AI and General Atomics, for advanced drone acquisitions. The SDA extends beyond military technology, with separate deals anticipated in civilian nuclear technology and AI chips. Additionally, the US has designated Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, a status that accelerates weapons transfers and deepens military training. This designation places Saudi Arabia alongside other Middle Eastern allies like Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington, his first since 2018, underscores Riyadh’s ambition to strengthen economic and security ties with the US. The crown prince’s diplomatic efforts, including navigating Israel’s war on Gaza and rekindling relations with Iran, have bolstered his international standing. However, Saudi Arabia seeks a more binding defence commitment from Washington, akin to the US-Japan mutual defence treaty. Talks on such a treaty are ongoing, contingent on Saudi Arabia’s recognition of Israel. The crown prince expressed a desire to join the Abraham Accords, emphasizing the need for a clear path toward a two-state solution. The agreement reflects Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance as the world’s largest oil exporter and the Arab world’s only G-20 economy, amid evolving regional dynamics.
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Japan’s PM seen as playing to right wing
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has drawn sharp criticism for her recent comments suggesting potential military intervention in Taiwan, a move widely seen as an attempt to rally right-wing support and bolster her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which recently lost its parliamentary majority. Speaking in Japan’s parliament earlier this month, Takaichi framed such intervention as a response to a ‘survival-threatening situation,’ marking the first time an incumbent Japanese leader has publicly entertained such a possibility. However, her remarks directly contradict Article 9 of Japan’s pacifist Constitution, which renounces war and the use of force in international disputes. Chinese officials and analysts have condemned the comments as a dangerous echo of Japan’s militarist past. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning highlighted historical parallels, noting that Japan has previously used similar justifications for aggression, including the 1931 Manchurian Incident and the attack on Pearl Harbor. At the UN General Assembly, China’s Permanent Representative Fu Cong argued that Takaichi’s statements undermine the postwar international order and Japan’s commitment to peaceful development. Domestically, Takaichi’s strategy appears aimed at shoring up support among right-wing factions and voters, even as her government faces significant challenges. Critics, including Japanese lawmakers and social media influencers, have warned against escalating tensions with China, emphasizing the potential economic fallout. In response to Tokyo’s refusal to retract Takaichi’s remarks, China has suspended imports of Japanese aquatic products, citing safety concerns and public sentiment. Mao reiterated that Japan would bear full responsibility for any consequences of its actions.