The United Nations has revealed a disturbing escalation in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, with Israeli settlers carrying out at least 264 attacks in October 2025. This marks the highest monthly tally since the UN began documenting such incidents in 2006. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that these attacks, which caused both casualties and property damage, averaged eight incidents per day. Since 2006, OCHA has recorded over 9,600 such attacks, with approximately 1,500 occurring in 2025 alone, accounting for roughly 15% of the total. The West Bank, home to 2.7 million Palestinians, remains central to the vision of a future Palestinian state coexisting with Israel. However, rapid expansion of Israeli settlements has fragmented the region. The UN, Palestinians, and most nations consider these settlements illegal under international law, a stance Israel disputes. Over half a million Israeli settlers currently reside in the West Bank. OCHA also reported that, as of Wednesday, 42 Palestinian children had been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank this year, meaning one in every five Palestinian fatalities has been a child. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza in October, which has largely calmed hostilities and facilitated the return of hostages, violence in the West Bank persists. Israel’s mission to the UN has yet to comment on these findings.
分类： world
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US government shutdown forces local workers at some overseas bases to go without pay
The unprecedented U.S. government shutdown, now in its sixth week, is not only disrupting domestic operations but also creating significant challenges for local workers at American military bases across Europe. Over 2,000 employees in countries such as Italy, Portugal, and Germany have experienced salary interruptions, with some host governments stepping in to cover payments temporarily. In Italy, union coordinator Angelo Zaccaria described the situation as ‘absurd,’ with workers struggling to meet basic financial obligations like mortgages and childcare. Similarly, in Portugal, over 360 workers at the Lajes Field base have gone unpaid, though the Azores regional government has approved a loan to provide interim relief. Germany has also intervened to pay nearly 11,000 civilian employees at U.S. bases, expecting reimbursement once the shutdown ends. Experts like Harvard professor Linda Bilmes highlight that contractors are particularly vulnerable during such shutdowns, as they are not always guaranteed back pay. While Spain has resolved payment delays for its workers, other countries like Poland, Lithuania, and Greenland remain silent on their involvement. The prolonged shutdown underscores the far-reaching consequences of political gridlock in Washington, leaving thousands of workers in limbo.
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China injects strong impetus to global climate governance: white paper
China is playing a pivotal role in advancing global climate governance, as highlighted in a recent white paper titled ‘Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality: China’s Plans and Solutions.’ Released by the State Council Information Office, the document underscores China’s commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation in addressing climate change. The white paper outlines China’s active engagement in global climate governance, its leadership in promoting green development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and its efforts to foster international collaboration on green and low-carbon development. China has demonstrated its ambition through substantial Nationally Determined Contributions, aligning with the Paris Agreement’s objectives. The country has expanded green infrastructure, energy, and transport cooperation with BRI partner nations, establishing energy partnerships with 34 countries and collaborating on green energy projects with over 100 countries and regions. Adhering to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, China has provided financial, technological, and capacity-building support to developing nations. By October 2025, China had signed 55 memoranda of understanding on South-South climate cooperation with 43 developing countries and conducted over 300 capacity-building sessions. Looking ahead, China is committed to working with the international community to promote ecological conservation, green development, and the protection of the planet, aiming for a cleaner and more sustainable world.
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A Russian drone strike at a tower block in eastern Ukraine kills a woman and injures 11 people
A Russian drone struck a residential tower block in Dnipro, Ukraine’s fourth-largest city, early on Saturday, resulting in the death of a woman and injuring 11 others, including two children. The attack occurred while many residents were asleep, causing a fire that destroyed several apartments in the nine-story building. Emergency services reported that the woman’s body was found on the fifth floor. This incident is part of Russia’s near-daily drone and missile strikes on Ukraine, which have claimed numerous civilian lives since the full-scale invasion began nearly four years ago. Meanwhile, the battle for the strategic city of Pokrovsk, located along the eastern front line, has reached a critical phase. Both Ukraine and Russia are attempting to influence U.S. President Donald Trump’s perception of the conflict, with the outcome potentially shaping the trajectory of peace negotiations. Pokrovsk, part of the heavily fortified ‘fortress belt’ in the Donetsk region, is pivotal to Ukraine’s defense and could sway Washington’s stance on the war. Additionally, Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s power grid have caused rolling blackouts across several regions, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as winter approaches. Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his demand for Ukraine to cede the Donbas region, comprising Donetsk and Luhansk, as a precondition for peace, claiming his forces are nearing victory.
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US firms ground MD-11 cargo planes after Kentucky air disaster
A catastrophic plane crash involving a UPS cargo aircraft has left Louisville, Kentucky, in a state of devastation. The incident, which occurred during takeoff on Tuesday, claimed at least 14 lives and triggered a massive fire that engulfed nearby buildings, forcing the closure of Louisville International Airport. The UPS MD-11F aircraft, carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel, burst into flames after its left engine caught fire and detached mid-takeoff. The resulting inferno gutted several structures, with emergency crews still searching for potential victims. In response, UPS and FedEx have temporarily grounded portions of their fleets, specifically MD-11 models, following guidance from Boeing, the aircraft’s manufacturer. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg expressed condolences, stating, ‘We pray for each of the victims’ families and pray that no additional victims are lost.’ UPS emphasized that the grounding of 9% of its fleet was a precautionary measure, assuring that contingency plans are in place to minimize service disruptions. The MD-11, originally manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, has been in service for over three decades, with the involved aircraft transitioning from passenger use with Thai Airways to cargo operations with UPS in 2006. The National Transportation and Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash, which has raised concerns about aviation safety in the United States.
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UAE sends relief aid to Afghanistan after deadly earthquake
In a swift response to the catastrophic earthquake that struck northern Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has mobilized a comprehensive humanitarian aid mission. The initiative, spearheaded by a collaborative effort involving the Joint Operations Command, the UAE Aid Agency, and the Emirates Red Crescent, underscores the UAE’s commitment to global solidarity in times of crisis. The mission aims to provide immediate relief to the affected communities, ensuring they receive essential supplies and medical assistance.
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Turkey issues genocide arrest warrant against Israel PM Netanyahu
In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions, Turkey has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several senior officials, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity. The warrants, announced by the Istanbul prosecutor’s office on Friday, target 37 individuals, including Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. The move underscores Turkey’s ongoing criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, which it claims constitute systematic violations of international law. The prosecutor’s statement specifically referenced the destruction of the ‘Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital’ in Gaza, a facility built by Turkey and bombed by Israel in March. This development follows Turkey’s decision last year to join South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing the nation of genocide. Meanwhile, a fragile ceasefire brokered as part of US President Donald Trump’s regional peace plan has been in effect in Gaza since October 10, offering a temporary respite in the conflict.
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Iran president warns Tehran may face evacuation due to drought
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a stark warning on Friday, stating that the capital city of Tehran may face evacuation due to an escalating water shortage crisis. In a televised address, Pezeshkian emphasized that if significant rainfall does not occur by the end of the year, the city will be forced to implement water rationing measures. He further cautioned that continued drought conditions could lead to the complete depletion of water reserves, necessitating the evacuation of Tehran’s 10 million residents. The announcement comes as Iran grapples with one of its most severe droughts in decades, exacerbated by a 40% decline in precipitation compared to the 57-year average. Tehran, a sprawling megacity, is particularly vulnerable, with its main reservoir reportedly holding only two weeks’ worth of water. Recent conservation efforts, including water supply cuts in several neighborhoods and public holidays declared to save water and energy, have failed to mitigate the crisis. Authorities have urged citizens to reduce water consumption by 20% to stabilize the situation until the anticipated winter rains. The dire circumstances underscore the urgent need for long-term solutions to address Iran’s water scarcity challenges.
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Technical glitch with air traffic system at Delhi airport resolved
A significant technical malfunction in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, one of the world’s busiest, caused widespread flight disruptions over two days. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed the system was restored late Friday, but warned that normal operations would take time due to a massive backlog. The glitch, which began Thursday evening, delayed over 200 flights, including international carriers like ITA Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Airlines such as IndiGo and SpiceJet saw their shares drop by 2% and 1%, respectively, as they warned passengers of ongoing disruptions. The AMSS, crucial for generating flight plans, forced air traffic controllers to manually process plans, significantly slowing operations. Delhi Airport, handling 78 million passengers in 2024, ranks as the ninth busiest globally. The incident follows a recent ransomware attack on European airports, highlighting vulnerabilities in aviation infrastructure.
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‘They went and never came back’: Honouring Kenya’s forgotten World War soldiers
Nearly eight decades after his disappearance, the fate of Mutuku Ing’ati, a Kenyan soldier who fought in the British army during World War Two, has come to light. Ing’ati, who vanished from his village of Syamatani in southern Kenya, was discovered through British military records to have enlisted as a private with the East African Scouts. Tragically, he was killed in action on June 13, 1943, though the exact circumstances and location of his death remain unknown. His family, who had spent years searching for him, only learned of his fate recently through the efforts of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).
The CWGC, dedicated to commemorating those who died in the world wars, has been working to uncover the stories of thousands of Kenyan soldiers like Ing’ati who served in the British forces. These soldiers, many of whom were never officially recognized or commemorated, played a significant role in the global conflicts. The CWGC, in collaboration with the Kenyan Defence Force, has unearthed a trove of colonial-era military records, shedding light on the lives and sacrifices of over 3,000 East African soldiers.
Among the records are stories of individuals like George Williams, a decorated sergeant major with the King’s African Rifles, and Abdulla Fadlumulla, a Ugandan soldier who enlisted at just 16 years old. Both died in combat, their contributions largely forgotten until now. Historians like Patrick Abungu, whose own great uncle was conscripted and never returned, emphasize the emotional toll on families who were left without answers for decades.
The CWGC aims to build memorials to honor these soldiers and integrate their stories into Kenya’s educational curriculum, ensuring future generations understand the pivotal role Africans played in the world wars. As George Hay, a CWGC historian, notes, ‘These are not just dusty files—they are personal stories.’ The organization’s efforts to recover and commemorate these forgotten heroes will continue indefinitely, ensuring their sacrifices are never erased from history.