分类: world

  • China announces plans to have Pakistan astronaut on short-term missions

    China announces plans to have Pakistan astronaut on short-term missions

    In a significant development in space cooperation, China has announced plans to include a Pakistani astronaut in its upcoming short-term missions aboard the Chinese space station. According to a report by the state-run Xinhua News Agency on Thursday, October 30, 2025, the astronaut from Pakistan will undergo rigorous training alongside Chinese astronauts, marking a milestone in the bilateral space partnership between the two nations. This initiative underscores China’s commitment to fostering international collaboration in space exploration. The inclusion of a Pakistani astronaut not only strengthens the strategic ties between China and Pakistan but also highlights China’s growing influence in the global space arena. The training program is expected to enhance Pakistan’s space capabilities while contributing to the broader objectives of China’s space station missions. This announcement comes amid China’s ongoing efforts to expand its space program and engage with other countries in joint space endeavors.

  • Tracking an executioner in Sudan across social media

    Tracking an executioner in Sudan across social media

    Disturbing evidence has emerged on social media, revealing the execution of unarmed civilians by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Sudanese city of el-Fasher. The footage, meticulously analyzed by BBC Verify, captures the harrowing moments when RSF fighters carried out these brutal acts following their capture of the city. The RSF, a paramilitary group with a controversial history, has been accused of numerous human rights violations in the past. This latest incident underscores the escalating violence and lawlessness in Sudan, where armed groups operate with impunity. The videos have sparked international outrage, with calls for accountability and justice for the victims. The use of social media to document such atrocities highlights its dual role as both a tool for exposure and a platform for advocacy in conflict zones.

  • Aid workers fear for those missing from a city in Sudan’s Darfur region seized by paramilitary force

    Aid workers fear for those missing from a city in Sudan’s Darfur region seized by paramilitary force

    In the wake of a brutal paramilitary assault on el-Fasher, Sudan’s Darfur region, aid workers have expressed grave concerns over the fate of thousands who fled the violence. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group embroiled in conflict with Sudan’s military since 2023, reportedly killed hundreds during the attack and subsequent escape attempts. Witnesses described RSF fighters conducting house-to-house raids, targeting civilians, including women and children. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the deaths of 460 people at a hospital in el-Fasher, though the exact toll remains unverified due to disrupted communications. Satellite imagery has revealed bodies strewn across the city, corroborating reports of mass executions. Only a small number of displaced individuals have reached Tawila, a town 60 kilometers west of el-Fasher, raising fears for the safety of those still trapped. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) warned that hundreds of thousands remain in grave danger, with survivors recounting arbitrary killings during their escape. RSF commander Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo acknowledged “abuses” by his forces and announced an investigation, but the situation remains dire. The ongoing conflict, which has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced 14 million, threatens to further destabilize Sudan, Africa’s third-largest nation, raising fears of a potential split akin to South Sudan’s independence in 2011.

  • Reports of mass killings in Sudan have echoes of its dark past

    Reports of mass killings in Sudan have echoes of its dark past

    The Sudanese city of el-Fasher has become the epicenter of a brutal conflict, with emerging evidence of systematic killings prompting human rights activists to draw parallels to the Darfur genocide of the early 2000s. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group with roots in the Janjaweed militias, has been accused of ethnic violence and atrocities since its power struggle with the Sudanese army erupted in April 2023. The fall of el-Fasher after an 18-month siege has brought to light the layers of Sudan’s ongoing civil war, marked by echoes of its dark past and present-day brutality. Survivors recount tales of terror, including summary executions, looting, and indiscriminate shootings, while satellite images suggest massacre sites. The RSF leadership, including Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has denied accusations of ethnic cleansing but admitted to ‘violations’ in el-Fasher. Despite promises of investigations, observers remain skeptical, citing unfulfilled pledges from past atrocities. The conflict has a clear ethnic dimension, with the RSF targeting the Zaghawa tribe and other non-Arab communities. Aid groups warn that without international intervention, the pattern of violence could escalate, drawing comparisons to historical genocides like Srebrenica. The international community faces mounting pressure to act, with activists urging accountability for those fueling the conflict, including the United Arab Emirates, accused of supporting the RSF.

  • Russia blasts Ukraine’s power grid again, causing outages across the country and killing 2

    Russia blasts Ukraine’s power grid again, causing outages across the country and killing 2

    In a relentless escalation of its ongoing campaign, Russia launched a massive drone and missile assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Thursday, causing widespread power outages and restrictions across all regions of the country. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko condemned the attacks as ‘systematic energy terror,’ emphasizing Moscow’s intent to disrupt civilian life and morale as winter approaches. The strikes, part of Russia’s near-daily targeting of Ukraine’s power grid, resulted in at least two fatalities and left 17 injured, including children aged 2 to 16, according to Ukrainian authorities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that over 650 drones and 50 missiles of various types were deployed in the attack. Ukraine’s centralized public infrastructure, essential for water, sewage, and heating systems, has been severely compromised by the blackouts. These relentless assaults aim not only to cripple Ukraine’s war-related industries but also to undermine the resilience of its population nearly four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion. Svyrydenko called for increased international support, including enhanced air defense systems, stricter sanctions, and intensified diplomatic pressure on Russia to halt its aggression. Meanwhile, the southern Zaporizhzhia region witnessed 17 injuries, including a 2-year-old girl, and the death of a man rescued from rubble. In the western Lviv region, near Poland, two energy facilities were damaged. The Polish military responded by scrambling NATO aircraft and temporarily closing regional airports as a precautionary measure.

  • Gaza ceasefire challenged by strikes

    Gaza ceasefire challenged by strikes

    The fragile ceasefire in Gaza faced its most severe test yet as overnight Israeli strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 100 people, including numerous children, according to local hospital officials. The violence, which erupted on Wednesday, marks a significant escalation in the conflict that has plagued the region for years. Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for a rescue agency operating under Hamas authority, reported that 101 fatalities, including 35 children, were brought to hospitals within a span of less than 12 hours. The strikes targeted tents for displaced families, residential areas, and the vicinity of a hospital, described by Bassal as a ‘clear and flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement.’ The Israeli military, however, defended its actions, stating that the strikes were aimed at ‘terror targets and terrorists’ and that the ceasefire remains intact. The military also confirmed the death of one of its soldiers during the latest attack. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, with Hamas calling on mediators to pressure Israel to halt the strikes. The United States was notified prior to the Israeli operation, and President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the ceasefire, which began on October 10, would endure despite the recent violence. Meanwhile, hospitals in Gaza were overwhelmed with casualties, and survivors questioned the effectiveness of the ceasefire. International reactions included Turkey’s condemnation of the strikes as a violation of the truce and a call for global powers to push Israel to adhere to the agreement. The ceasefire, which halted two years of fighting following the deadly Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2023, remains a critical yet precarious step toward peace in the region.

  • Sudan RSF leader promises probe as anger mounts over el-Fasher atrocities

    Sudan RSF leader promises probe as anger mounts over el-Fasher atrocities

    The commander of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, has initiated an investigation into alleged violations committed by his troops during the capture of el-Fasher. This announcement follows widespread reports of mass civilian killings in the Darfur region after the RSF seized control of the city on Sunday. The United Nations Security Council is set to convene a meeting to address the escalating crisis in Sudan, now in its third year of civil war between the army and the RSF. Hemedti expressed regret for the devastation inflicted on el-Fasher’s residents and acknowledged potential misconduct by his forces, promising a thorough inquiry by a newly arrived committee. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed profound shock over reports that nearly 500 civilians, including patients and their companions, were executed at the city’s last functioning hospital. The RSF denies accusations that the killings were ethnically motivated, despite claims of a pattern targeting non-Arab populations. Activists are urging international pressure on the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accused of providing military support to the RSF, a charge the UAE denies. El-Fasher, the army’s final stronghold in Darfur, fell to the RSF after an 18-month siege characterized by starvation and relentless bombardment. This capture has effectively divided Sudan, with the RSF controlling most of Darfur and parts of Kordofan, while the army retains Khartoum and the central and eastern regions. The conflict stems from a fallout between the RSF and the army, former allies who seized power in a 2021 coup, over a plan to transition to civilian rule.

  • Mutual visa-free policies prove a win-win for China, S. Korea

    Mutual visa-free policies prove a win-win for China, S. Korea

    The implementation of mutual visa-free policies between China and South Korea has proven to be a mutually beneficial strategy, significantly boosting tourism and economic growth for both nations. Experts highlight that this initiative has already shown positive results, particularly during China’s recent National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday in early October. South Korea experienced a notable influx of Chinese tourists, with popular destinations and shopping malls witnessing increased activity. This surge is attributed to South Korea’s temporary visa-free policy, which allows Chinese group tourists—comprising three or more individuals—to enter the country without a visa from September 29, 2025, to June 30, 2026, for stays of up to 15 days. Previously, only Jeju Island offered such visa-free access, permitting Chinese tourists to stay for up to 30 days. This policy remains in effect. Liu Haomiao, a manager at the domestic travel platform Tuniu, reported a significant rise in group tours to South Korea, with bookings increasing by over 60% compared to September and showing a substantial year-on-year growth from 2024. The visa-free arrangement is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties and enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.

  • Dozens dead in ‘total devastation’ left behind by Hurricane Melissa

    Dozens dead in ‘total devastation’ left behind by Hurricane Melissa

    Hurricane Melissa has unleashed catastrophic destruction across the Caribbean, claiming lives, obliterating infrastructure, and submerging entire communities. The Category 5 storm, one of the most powerful ever recorded in the region, struck Jamaica with full force, leaving at least five dead and widespread devastation. Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the scene as ‘total devastation,’ with 80-90% of roofs destroyed, alongside critical infrastructure like hospitals, libraries, and police stations. King Charles, Jamaica’s head of state, expressed deep concern and sadness, emphasizing the urgent need to address climate change and restore nature’s balance. The storm, now downgraded to Category 2, also wreaked havoc in Haiti, where at least 20 people perished in severe flooding. In Cuba, Melissa’s 115 mph winds and torrential rains battered the southeast, prompting President Miguel Díaz-Canel to urge vigilance. The storm is now heading toward the Bahamas and Bermuda, with a tropical storm warning in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands. The U.S. has deployed a disaster response team to Jamaica, while Haiti and the Bahamas have formally requested aid. The hurricane’s aftermath has left thousands homeless, crops destroyed, and communities in disarray, with recovery efforts expected to take months.

  • At least 20 dead as Hurricane Melissa hits Haiti

    At least 20 dead as Hurricane Melissa hits Haiti

    Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of destruction in Haiti, claiming at least 20 lives and causing widespread devastation, according to local media reports. The hurricane, one of the most powerful to hit the Caribbean in recent years, brought torrential rains and severe flooding to multiple regions, particularly impacting the southwestern coastal town of Petit-Goave. Jean Bertrand Subreme, the mayor of Petit-Goave, described the scene as catastrophic, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble and debris. Footage from the area revealed extensive damage, with victims’ remains still buried under collapsed structures. The hurricane has exacerbated the already dire situation in Haiti, where over 1.3 million people have been displaced due to gang violence. Many of these displaced individuals sought refuge in shelters, such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Port-au-Prince, where makeshift homes with plastic sheet roofs were inspected during the storm. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as Haiti faces yet another humanitarian crisis in the wake of this natural disaster.