分类： world

Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming three-day visit to Lebanon has ignited a wave of hope among Lebanese citizens, both at home and abroad, as the nation grapples with persistent crises and conflict. The pontiff, who will arrive in Beirut on Sunday after a stop in Turkey, is set to lead an open-air mass at the city’s waterfront, expected to attract 120,000 attendees. The visit also includes a special meeting with young people aged 16 to 35 in Bkerke, the seat of Lebanon’s Maronite Church. For many, the papal visit symbolizes a beacon of reassurance and unity for a country battered by economic collapse, political instability, and ongoing regional tensions. Rachelle Mazraani, a 23-year-old Lebanese-Australian, expressed her optimism, stating that the visit reminds the Lebanese of their enduring spiritual identity and mission in the region. Lebanon, a multi-confessional nation with a Christian head of state, has seen its Christian population dwindle due to emigration and crises. The pope’s message of peace and interfaith dialogue is particularly poignant as the country faces regular Israeli strikes and fears of renewed conflict. Billboards across Lebanon featuring the pope with the slogan ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ reflect the nation’s yearning for stability. The visit has also drawn significant international attention, with delegations from countries like Syria and Nigeria participating in the youth meeting. For many, the event represents a historic moment to inspire unity and rebuild a fractured nation. Lebanon has declared a two-day official holiday to encourage public participation, while hotels are offering special deals to accommodate visitors. Despite the challenges, the pope’s visit is seen as a catalyst for hope and renewal in a region grappling with turmoil.

India has lodged a formal protest with China following the detention of an Indian citizen at Shanghai Airport, describing the incident as ‘most unhelpful’ in fostering bilateral relations. The detained individual, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based woman holding an Indian passport, was stopped by Chinese authorities during a layover on November 21. She was informed that her Indian passport was invalid due to her birth in Arunachal Pradesh, a region China claims as part of its territory under the name Zangnan. Thongdok was reportedly held for 18 hours and prevented from boarding her connecting flight to Japan. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that such arbitrary actions violate international air travel conventions and hinder efforts to rebuild trust between the two nations. China defended its actions, stating they were conducted in compliance with its laws and regulations. The incident occurs amid cautious efforts by India and China to strengthen ties after years of strained relations, exacerbated by a 2020 border clash in the Himalayas that resulted in significant casualties. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China in August marked a significant step toward normalization, with both leaders affirming their commitment to partnership over rivalry.

Israeli forces initiated a large-scale military operation in the northern occupied West Bank city of Tubas on Wednesday, marking a significant escalation in the region. The assault began in the early hours, with troops forcibly entering Palestinian homes in Tammun, Tayasir, and Aqaba, converting several residences into temporary military barracks. Residents were evicted from their homes, and roads were sealed off with earth mounds, severely restricting movement across the area. Local media reported the presence of Apache helicopters overhead, allegedly firing indiscriminately at civilian properties. Videos circulating online depicted Israeli forces setting up equipment on rooftops and obstructing ambulance crews attempting to aid injured Palestinians. The Tubas Governorate responded by suspending operations in all governmental and private institutions, including schools, which transitioned to online activities for the day. Tubas’ governor refuted Israeli claims that the operation targeted wanted individuals, asserting that no such persons were present. The Israeli military, collaborating with the Shin Bet intelligence agency and Border Guard forces, justified the campaign as a necessary measure to combat ‘terrorist activities’ in the occupied territory. Hamas and the Islamic Jihad movement condemned the incursion, accusing Israel of systematic aggression aimed at displacing Palestinians and seizing their land. Similar military raids were reported in Tulkarm, Nablus, and Hebron, part of a broader escalation since October 2023. Over the past two years, Israeli forces have killed over 1,000 Palestinians and arrested thousands more, with human rights groups documenting arbitrary arrests and civilian casualties. The recent operation echoes earlier large-scale incursions, such as the 2025 attacks on Jenin and Tulkarm, which displaced approximately 30,000 people and caused extensive destruction.

A New Zealand court has sentenced Hakyung Lee, a 45-year-old mother, to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of her two young children in a case that has shocked the nation. The crime, referred to as the ‘suitcase murders,’ involved Lee poisoning her six-year-old son Minu Jo and eight-year-old daughter Yuna Jo in 2018 by lacing their fruit juice with an overdose of prescription medication. Following the deaths, Lee wrapped the children’s bodies in plastic bags and concealed them in suitcases, which were stored in a suburban warehouse on the outskirts of Auckland. The bodies remained undiscovered until 2022, when an unsuspecting family purchased the storage locker at an auction and made the grim discovery. Police used DNA and forensic evidence to identify the victims and trace the crime back to Lee, who had fled to her native South Korea after the murders. She was eventually extradited to New Zealand to face trial. During the sentencing hearing, High Court Judge Geoffrey Venning described the children as ‘particularly vulnerable’ and imposed a minimum non-parole period of 17 years. Lee showed little emotion in court, bowing her head as the sentence was delivered. The trial revealed that Lee, grieving the death of her husband from cancer, had initially planned to kill herself alongside her children but failed to do so. Her defense argued that she was not guilty by reason of insanity, citing severe depression and suicidal thoughts. However, the prosecution countered that her actions were calculated, pointing to her efforts to hide the bodies and flee the country. The case has left deep emotional scars on Lee’s family, with her mother and brother-in-law expressing profound grief and anger over the loss of the children.

In a harrowing revelation, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan have been accused of forcibly extracting blood from civilians in North Darfur, marking another grim chapter in the ongoing conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The atrocities, which include rape, executions, and ransom demands, have been described as part of a broader campaign of terror.

The Israeli military has initiated a fresh counterterrorism operation in the northern region of the occupied West Bank, as announced on Wednesday. This new campaign, distinct from the ongoing operation launched in January 2024, focuses on areas referred to as ‘northern Samaria’ in Israeli terminology. The joint statement from the military and internal security services emphasized the broad scope of this initiative, aimed at addressing security threats in the region. Unlike the previous operation, which primarily targeted Palestinian refugee camps, this new effort appears to have a wider geographical focus. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the West Bank, where Israeli forces have been actively engaged in counterterrorism activities. The move underscores Israel’s continued commitment to addressing security challenges in the region, though it is likely to draw mixed reactions from both local and international stakeholders.

A catastrophic fire erupted in Korail, one of Dhaka’s largest and most densely populated slums, on Tuesday evening, reducing thousands of tin-roofed shanties to ashes and leaving countless residents homeless. The blaze, which began shortly after sunset, illuminated the night sky with towering orange flames and enveloped the area in thick smoke, forcing residents to flee with whatever possessions they could salvage. Firefighters faced significant challenges in their response, initially delayed by heavy traffic and further hampered by the slum’s narrow lanes, which prevented fire trucks from reaching the heart of the inferno. Instead, crews were forced to drag hoses through cramped alleys and struggled to secure sufficient water to combat the flames. After more than five hours of intense effort, the fire was finally brought under control. The cause of the blaze remains unknown, and while no casualties have been reported, the destruction is described as near-total. Residents like Amena Begum, who lost everything, expressed despair over their uncertain future. This incident highlights ongoing issues with lax regulations and poor enforcement in Bangladesh, where similar fires have claimed hundreds of lives in recent years.

In a significant development for Qatari citizens, Canada has officially exempted them from visa requirements, allowing them to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) online. This announcement was made by Qatar’s Ministry of Interior on November 25, 2025, marking a milestone in the bilateral relations between the two nations. The eTA programme, designed for citizens of visa-exempt countries, enables travelers to obtain electronic approval for entry or transit through Canada in just minutes. The application process costs a mere 7 Canadian dollars and is exclusively applicable to air travel. This initiative stems from ongoing collaboration between Qatar and Canada, highlighted by a visit from Canada’s Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) delegation to Qatar in June 2024. The Qatari Ministry has also shared a QR code to facilitate the eTA application process for its citizens. The eTA programme is part of Canada’s broader effort to streamline travel for nationals of visa-exempt countries, which includes over 50 nations such as the UAE, Australia, Japan, and most European Union member states. This move is expected to enhance travel convenience and strengthen diplomatic ties between Qatar and Canada.