The United States has greenlit a significant defense deal with India, approving the sale of Javelin anti-tank missile systems and Excalibur guided artillery munitions worth $93 million. This decision, announced by the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Wednesday, marks India’s first acquisition under the US foreign military sales program since bilateral relations faced strain in August. The friction arose when former President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff hike on Indian goods in response to New Delhi’s procurement of Russian oil. The latest sale underscores Washington’s commitment to fortifying its strategic alliance with India, a key player in maintaining regional stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia. India has requested 216 Excalibur projectiles and 100 Javelin systems, with RTX Corp and its joint venture with Lockheed Martin serving as the principal contractors. This deal follows India’s recent reorder of General Electric fighter jet engines for its domestically produced Tejas combat aircraft.
分类： world
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Pakistan army kills 23 militants near Afghan border
In a decisive response to escalating violence, Pakistan’s security forces have neutralized 23 militants in targeted operations near the Afghan border. The raids, conducted in the volatile Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, come just a week after a devastating suicide bombing outside a court in Islamabad claimed 12 lives and left dozens injured. The Pakistani military has identified the militants as members of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) or its affiliated groups, further accusing India of providing support to these insurgents. The statement from the army emphasized Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to eradicating foreign-sponsored terrorism, which it claims is orchestrated from neighboring Afghanistan. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of harboring militant groups, particularly the TTP, which has been responsible for numerous deadly attacks within Pakistan. The recent surge in cross-border violence has exacerbated tensions between the two nations, with last month’s clashes marking the most severe conflict in years. Despite a fragile ceasefire agreement, negotiations to finalize its terms have stalled, with both sides blaming each other for the deadlock. The border remains closed, and the region continues to grapple with instability as both nations trade accusations and brace for further unrest.
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Fire prompts evacuations at UN climate talks in Brazil, but officials say no one hurt
A sudden fire erupted at the venue of the U.N. climate talks in Belem, Brazil, on Thursday, leading to swift evacuations on the penultimate day of the conference. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, according to officials. The blaze, which originated near the China pavilion, rapidly spread to adjacent structures, including several Africa pavilions and a youth-focused pavilion. Organizers confirmed that the fire was quickly brought under control, with firefighters and security teams responding promptly and maintaining vigilance at the site. Samuel Rubin, an organizer of an entertainment and culture pavilion, recounted witnessing flames a few pavilions away, prompting his team and others to use fire extinguishers as smoke filled the area. The fire also affected a health and sciences pavilion, as reported by technical personnel Victoria Martins and Júlia Aguiar. Journalists, including those from the Associated Press, were evacuated from the media center as a precaution. The incident, while disruptive, did not derail the conference’s proceedings, which are set to conclude on Friday.
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Philippines: Woman who faked nationality to become mayor jailed for trafficking
In a landmark ruling, Alice Guo, a Chinese national who fraudulently assumed Philippine citizenship to become a town mayor, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for her involvement in human trafficking and overseeing a transnational scam operation. The Manila Regional Court delivered the verdict on Thursday, marking a significant victory in the fight against corruption and organized crime in the Philippines. Guo, 35, was found guilty of managing a sprawling Chinese-operated online gambling center in Bamban town, where hundreds of individuals from various countries were coerced into running scams under the threat of torture. The complex, which included office buildings, luxury villas, and a swimming pool, was raided in March 2024 after a Vietnamese worker escaped and alerted authorities. Over 700 victims from the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Rwanda were rescued during the operation. Documents seized at the site confirmed Guo’s role as the president of the company owning the compound. Despite her election as mayor, a court ruling in June 2024 declared her ineligible for the position, citing her undisputed Chinese citizenship. Guo, who fled to Indonesia in September 2024, was arrested and extradited to face trial. She and seven co-defendants, including Jaimielyn Santos Cruz and Walter Wong Rong, were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. State prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas hailed the verdict as a triumph against human trafficking, cybercrime, and corruption. Senator Risa Hontiveros, who spearheaded the Senate investigation into Guo, praised the decision and vowed to continue probing Chinese intelligence operations in the Philippines. The case has shed light on the rampant transnational scam industry in Southeast Asia, which reportedly defrauded victims of up to $37 billion in 2023. The Philippines, under former President Rodrigo Duterte, became a hub for such operations due to lax licensing regulations. However, in 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos imposed a nationwide ban on offshore gambling in response to public outrage over the Guo case, expelling foreign nationals involved in the industry.
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UN secretary general urges nations at climate talks to be flexible to get results
BELEM, Brazil — U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres issued a compelling call for compromise and flexibility during the final days of the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil. Addressing negotiators on Thursday, Guterres emphasized the urgency of delivering tangible results, even if they fall short of the most ambitious measures sought by some nations. “We are down to the wire, and the world is watching Belem,” he declared, urging participants to engage in good faith despite the missed deadline for progress on key issues earlier in the week. The summit, which often extends beyond its two-week schedule, has drawn global attention as communities on the front lines of climate change demand action. Guterres highlighted the plight of those affected by flooding, failed harvests, and lost livelihoods, stating, “They’ve heard enough excuses and demand results.” On contentious topics such as phasing out fossil fuels and providing financial aid to poorer nations, Guterres expressed confidence in the possibility of compromise, rejecting the notion that weaker measures equate to failure. He also called on wealthy nations to significantly increase adaptation finance, tripling it from $40 billion to $120 billion annually, to help vulnerable countries cope with climate-induced disasters. Earlier in the week, officials from disaster-stricken nations delivered emotional appeals for immediate action. Guterres stressed that while no delegation would achieve all its goals, every country, particularly major emitters, must contribute more. Key unresolved issues include delivering $300 billion in annual financial aid, strengthening climate plans, addressing trade barriers, and improving transparency in reporting progress. COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago had set a Wednesday deadline for a package deal on these issues, but no agreement was reached. Over 80 countries have advocated for a detailed roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels, a topic that remains contentious despite a general agreement at the previous COP in Dubai. Guterres referenced this agreement but stopped short of committing to a detailed plan, a stance that contrasts with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s earlier push for specificity. The summit continues under mounting pressure to deliver meaningful climate action.
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Israeli air strikes pummel Gaza less than 48 hours after UN adopts Trump’s plan
Israeli air strikes intensified in the besieged Gaza Strip on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 33 Palestinians, including 20 women and children. The attacks occurred less than 48 hours after the UN Security Council endorsed a US-drafted resolution aimed at implementing a ceasefire and establishing a transitional authority in Gaza. Israeli fighter jets targeted tents sheltering displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis and homes in Gaza City, leaving over 70 people wounded. Shelling continued into Thursday morning, with most casualties reported in Khan Younis. The Palestinian group Hamas condemned the strikes as a ‘massacre’ and accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to escalate violence. The Israeli military claimed the strikes were in response to troops coming under fire in Khan Younis, though no injuries among Israeli soldiers were reported, and no Palestinian groups claimed responsibility for any attacks. Hamas accused Israel of fabricating the allegations to justify its actions. Since the ceasefire began on October 11, Israel has been accused of over 400 violations, including direct gunfire, aerial shelling, and demolitions of civilian structures. The Rafah crossing remains closed, preventing the wounded from receiving treatment abroad. The UN resolution, which authorizes a Trump-led transitional authority to govern Gaza, has been criticized by Palestinians and legal experts as a form of colonialism.
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Oman National Day: UAE President, Sheikh Mohammed congratulate Sultanate
Oman is set to commemorate its 55th National Day with grand celebrations, including a military parade in Muscat and fireworks across the nation. On this significant occasion, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conveyed heartfelt congratulations to Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, emphasizing the enduring friendship between the two Gulf nations. In his message, Sheikh Mohamed expressed optimism about further strengthening bilateral ties to ensure mutual progress and prosperity. Similarly, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, extended his felicitations, sharing a photo of Sultan Haitham and highlighting the shared heritage and accelerated development of Oman. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, also sent a congratulatory message, reinforcing the deep-rooted bonds between the UAE and Oman. The celebrations underscore the unity and camaraderie that define the relationship between these neighboring countries.
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Misleading narrative hampering scaling of clean energy, Chinese expert says
At a side event during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belem, Brazil, Zhang Yongsheng, director of the Research Institute for Eco-civilization at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, highlighted the detrimental impact of misleading narratives on the global scaling of clean energy. The event, themed ‘Net-Zero Emission Transition Led by Global Green Actions,’ emphasized the urgent need to address misconceptions about overcapacity in renewable energy, which are creating artificial barriers to achieving the 1.5°C global warming target. Zhang stressed that redefining climate benefits to include economic gains from new industrial growth, rather than solely focusing on avoided damages, is crucial to breaking these barriers. Citing the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, Zhang warned that the world is significantly off track to meet the 1.5°C target, even if all countries fulfill their current climate action pledges. He underscored the enormous action deficit threatening this goal and called for a paradigm shift in how climate benefits are perceived and communicated.
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Alleged mastermind behind Mexican mayor’s murder arrested
Mexican police have apprehended a man believed to be the orchestrator of the assassination of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, who was gunned down on November 1 during a public Day of the Dead event. Manzo, a vocal opponent of cartel violence in Michoacán, was shot seven times in front of his family, sparking widespread protests across the country. Security Minister Omar García Harfuch announced the arrest, linking the suspect, Jorge Amando, alias ‘The Graduate,’ to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). According to García Harfuch, Amando allegedly ordered the attack via WhatsApp, instructing his men to open fire despite the crowded setting. Manzo had been a prominent critic of cartel extortion targeting avocado growers in the region and had called on President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration to take stronger action against the cartels. The CJNG, known for drug trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion, is notorious for targeting public officials who resist their influence. The assassination has intensified public outrage, with protests erupting in Mexico City, where demonstrators carried banners declaring ‘we are all Carlos Manzo.’ The arrest marks a significant step in dismantling the criminal networks responsible for the violence, though the broader struggle against cartel dominance in Michoacán remains a pressing challenge.
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Chile deaths ‘deeply regrettable’, park bosses say
A devastating snowstorm in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park has resulted in the tragic deaths of five tourists, including Victoria Bond, a 40-year-old public relations consultant from Cornwall, UK. The incident, described as a ‘deeply regrettable tragedy’ by park authorities, also claimed the lives of two German and two Mexican nationals. Their bodies were discovered on Tuesday amidst extreme weather conditions, with winds reaching up to 118 mph (190 km/h).
Victoria Bond, who had been leading public relations for Visit Isles of Scilly for over six years, was on what was described as a ‘trip of a lifetime’ with friends in Argentina and Chile. She was hiking in the park when the storm struck, trapping her and the others.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font praised the efforts of search and rescue teams who braved the intense snowfall and high winds to locate the victims. The Chilean National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) has initiated an internal investigation to determine any potential liability and to review safety and communication protocols within the park.
The ‘O’ circuit, a popular hiking route where the tragedy occurred, remains closed as investigations continue. CONAF has emphasized its commitment to improving prevention and emergency response capabilities in the park, which spans a vast and complex terrain. The organization also highlighted the coordinated efforts between CONAF and concessionary companies that operate shelters and camps within the park.
This incident has cast a somber shadow over the region, with CONAF expressing its solidarity with the families of the deceased and all those affected by the tragedy. The review of safety measures aims to prevent such incidents in the future, ensuring the protection of visitors to one of Chile’s most renowned natural landmarks.