分类： world

Israeli authorities have confirmed the recovery of Ran Gvili’s body, the last remaining Israeli captive in Gaza, concluding a extensive military operation that involved substantial ground and aerial maneuvers. The 24-year-old Yamam counter-terrorism unit commando was reportedly killed during the October 7, 2023 attacks, with his remains subsequently taken into the Gaza Strip.

The retrieval operation, initiated Sunday morning, involved intensive military activities in eastern Gaza City areas, particularly around al-Sanafour and al-Batsh cemetery. According to local reports from the Wafa news agency, the search involved extensive bulldozing operations that resulted in the desecration of multiple gravesites. The operation was accompanied by heavy artillery shelling and concentrated gunfire from military vehicles and quadcopter drones, resulting in numerous casualties and fatalities since Sunday.

In the Tuffah neighborhood of northeast Gaza City, artillery strikes ignited fires that consumed multiple tents. Hamas officials responded to the Israeli announcement on Monday, asserting they had “exerted significant efforts” in locating Gvili’s remains and had provided Israeli authorities with all available information regarding the body’s location.

The development potentially clears diplomatic obstacles for advancing to the second phase of the US-brokered peace initiative. Hamas emphasized that further progress requires Israel’s full compliance with the ceasefire framework implemented in October, including complete withdrawal from Gaza and unrestricted humanitarian access.

Since the ceasefire began, monitoring groups have documented over 1,300 violations attributed to Israeli forces. The truce originally aimed to conclude more than two years of conflict that resulted in over 71,660 Palestinian fatalities and the destruction of nearly 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure. Post-ceasefire violence has claimed at least 486 lives with 1,341 injured, while Israeli authorities maintain strict limitations on humanitarian aid, continuing bans on tents, mobile homes, and heating supplies.

Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict witnessed a significant escalation as Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary units, in coordination with allied fighters from Abdelaziz Adam al-Hilu’s Sudan People’s Liberation Army-North (SPLA-N), initiated a large-scale offensive against Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) positions in the strategic Blue Nile state on Sunday. The border region, which shares boundaries with both Ethiopia and South Sudan, became the epicenter of intense combat operations.

According to intelligence sources within Sudan who characterized the assault as ‘exceptionally heavy,’ military reinforcements had been strategically deployed to the area weeks in anticipation of such an attack. Fierce engagements were reported in proximity to Ad-Damazin, the provincial capital, with RSF units reportedly advancing from the Ulu area in the Baw district. Video evidence analyzed by conflict monitors indicated RSF progression toward a remote SAF garrison at al-Silk, approximately 16 kilometers from their starting point.

While pro-RSF media channels circulated footage purportedly showing paramilitary fighters within captured military installations, SAF command sources maintained that their forces successfully repelled the assault and retained control of the garrison. The origin of the offensive has become a subject of intense international speculation, with SAF-aligned sources alleging cross-border involvement from South Sudan and Ethiopia. Specifically, Sudanese intelligence suggests the RSF utilized a suspected base in Ethiopia’s Benishangul Gumuz region to stage the operation—a claim that, if verified, would directly implicate both neighboring nations and their regional ally, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in the conflict.

The UAE continues to deny allegations of providing material support to the RSF, despite mounting evidence from flight tracking data, satellite imagery, and extensive field reporting. Military analysts aligned with the SAF interpret the Blue Nile offensive as a strategic diversion intended to redirect SAF resources away from the Kordofan region, where fierce fighting has recently culminated in the SAF’s capture of the Habila locality in South Kordofan. The conflict has increasingly employed drone warfare, with both sides utilizing unmanned aircraft that have resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children. The RSF claims to have recently shot down a Turkish-manufactured Bayraktar drone in the al-Farshaya area.

Since its inception in April 2023, the Sudanese civil war has resulted in a devastating humanitarian catastrophe, claiming tens of thousands of lives and displacing over 14 million people from their homes, creating one of the world’s most severe displacement crises.

A Bangladeshi government investigation has uncovered substantial irregularities in a major cross-border electricity supply agreement with Indian energy giant Adani Group, raising serious concerns about systematic collusion and financial misconduct. The National Review Committee on Power Purchase Agreements revealed on Monday that the state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has been paying approximately 50% above market rates for power supplied from Adani’s coal-fired Godda plant in India’s Jharkhand state.

The committee’s report identified what it termed “egregious anomalies” in the contract negotiation process, suggesting deliberate overpricing that generated excessive profits distributed among businesses, politicians, and bureaucrats. According to the findings, Bangladesh is overpaying by 4-5 cents per kilowatt-hour under the 25-year agreement, resulting in annual payments of approximately $1 billion to Adani Power.

The Godda power facility, which commenced operations in 2024 as a $2 billion project including transmission infrastructure, supplies between 7-10% of Bangladesh’s baseload electricity demand, serving a population of 170 million people with 13 GW of power requirements. The committee reported that BPDB incurred losses totaling $4.13 billion during the 2024-25 period directly attributable to the unfavorable contract terms.

In response to the allegations, Adani Power stated that it had not yet received the official report but maintained that its pricing remains highly competitive within the regional energy market. The company emphasized its continued power supply despite accumulating receivables and urged the Bangladeshi government to address outstanding payments that are affecting its operational capabilities.

The investigation specifically targets contracts negotiated during the administration of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who maintained close ties with India before being ousted in August 2024. The political transition has significantly altered bilateral relations between the neighboring nations and prompted comprehensive reviews of previously established agreements.

The committee has recommended immediate contract cancellations where evidence of corruption exists and called for widespread renegotiation of pricing terms with private power providers to align with market-competitive levels. These developments occur amidst Bangladesh’s preparation for parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12, which will determine new leadership following extended political turmoil.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has officially scheduled a pivotal hearing for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, commencing on February 23. This decision, handed down by ICC judges on Monday, dismisses defense claims regarding the 80-year-old former leader’s purported unfitness to participate in the proceedings.

The upcoming session constitutes a ‘confirmation of charges’ hearing, a critical juncture in international law where the judicial panel will evaluate the sufficiency of evidence to advance the case to a full trial. ICC prosecutors have formally indicted Duterte on three distinct counts of crimes against humanity. The charges stem from his administration’s controversial anti-narcotics campaign, with prosecutors alleging his direct involvement in a minimum of 76 extrajudicial killings.

This legal development represents a significant escalation in the international community’s scrutiny of Duterte’s ‘war on drugs,’ which drew widespread condemnation from human rights organizations during his presidency. The hearing will determine whether the prosecution has established substantial grounds to believe Duterte committed the alleged crimes, potentially paving the way for the first trial of a former Southeast Asian head of state by the ICC.

The case underscores ongoing tensions between national sovereignty and international justice mechanisms, particularly as the Philippines has withdrawn from the Rome Statute that established the ICC. Nevertheless, the court maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed during the nation’s membership period.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has issued a strong condemnation following a suspected arson attack targeting its headquarters in occupied Jerusalem. This incident occurred merely days after Israeli authorities demolished the same facility, marking a significant escalation in hostilities against the UN body.

Israeli media outlets reported that emergency services deployed eight firefighting units to the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood overnight to combat the blaze. Preliminary assessments indicate no immediate casualties, with investigations underway to determine the fire’s precise origin and cause.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini responded vehemently via social media platform X, declaring the attack demonstrates ‘there are no limits to the defiance of the United Nations & international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.’ He characterized the destruction as part of an ongoing campaign to dismantle Palestinian refugee status and erase their historical narrative, emphasizing that refugee matters require political solutions rather than criminal acts.

This fire follows Tuesday’s demolition of the UN compound by Israeli forces under the leadership of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. The complex had been seized previously following Israeli legislation banning UNRWA operations. The agency serves as a critical humanitarian provider for approximately 5.9 million Palestinian refugees, delivering essential services including education, nutrition, healthcare, and fuel distribution. Its potential closure threatens catastrophic collapse of vital support systems.

Israel’s longstanding hostility toward UNRWA stems from the agency’s maintenance of refugee status for Palestinians displaced during the 1948 Nakba and their descendants. The conflict has turned deadly, with over 380 UNRWA employees killed during Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly cautioned Israel that its actions violate international legal protections afforded to UN operations. In a January 8 correspondence to the General Assembly president, Guterres suggested potential recourse through the International Court of Justice, citing breaches of the 1946 Convention on UN Privileges and Immunities. He explicitly affirmed the inviolability of UN premises and condemned Israel’s interference as a clear violation of its international obligations.

In a display of strengthening diplomatic ties, European Union leaders attended India’s Republic Day celebrations as distinguished guests on Monday, setting the stage for a pivotal EU-India summit scheduled for Tuesday. The ceremonial parade in New Delhi featured military bands, cavalry units, and aerial demonstrations while showcasing India’s advanced defense systems recently deployed in regional conflicts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the occasion as inspiration for building “a developed India” during his address. European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen witnessed the elaborate spectacle that included cultural presentations representing India’s diverse population of 1.4 billion people.

The strategic partnership advances as both parties prepare to announce a comprehensive free trade agreement and security collaboration after more than a decade of negotiations. The accelerated timeline follows recent US trade policies that prompted Brussels and New Delhi to intensify their economic alignment efforts.

Bilateral trade statistics reveal substantial growth, with goods exchange reaching €120 billion ($139 billion) in 2024—a 90% increase over the past decade—plus an additional €60 billion in services trade. The anticipated agreement represents a significant geopolitical maneuver as both economies seek alternative markets amid global trade tensions and Chinese export regulations.

For the EU, India emerges as a crucial economic partner, while New Delhi views European technology transfer and investment as essential for infrastructure development and job creation. The partnership coincides with India’s projected ascent to become the world’s fourth-largest economy this year, according to International Monetary Fund forecasts.

Pakistan’s transformative Suthra Punjab (Clean Punjab) initiative has garnered international recognition for its innovative approach to waste management and urban sustainability, emerging as a benchmark for climate-smart governance in developing nations. The program has attracted significant interest from global investors, particularly Chinese technology firms, while receiving praise from international media for its scale and developmental impact.

Under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the initiative has been formally institutionalized as the Suthra Punjab Authority. Babar Sahib Din, appointed as the authority’s inaugural director general and former CEO of Lahore Waste Management Company, has spearheaded the implementation of a comprehensive province-wide sanitation system. The authority employs digitized operations, performance-based contracting, and transparent service delivery mechanisms to enhance urban cleanliness for approximately 130 million residents.

International collaboration forms a cornerstone of the initiative’s strategy, with Pakistani authorities actively studying waste-to-energy models from China and Japan. Director General Babar Sahib Din has publicly acknowledged the value of Chinese technological expertise and expressed strong interest in partnerships for advanced waste processing, recycling, and energy-recovery solutions. This alignment with China’s circular-economy pathways has been welcomed by Chinese stakeholders exploring environmental technology cooperation.

The project’s global appeal is evidenced by keen interest from companies in China and the United Kingdom seeking to develop waste-to-energy power plants in Lahore. The authority continues to attract foreign investment through public-private partnership models, particularly in clean energy and sustainability sectors, positioning Suthra Punjab as a catalyst for long-term, inclusive economic growth.

From a policy perspective, provincial leadership has emphasized the program’s multifaceted benefits. Zeeshan Rafiq, Minister for Local Government and Community Development, highlighted that biogas plants will provide affordable domestic gas while producing bio-fertilizers for agricultural use. Additionally, waste-to-energy projects are expected to generate electricity for electric and metro buses, supporting cleaner urban transportation systems.

Mian Shakeel, Secretary of Local Government and Community Development, reinforced that integrated waste management represents a central component of Punjab’s development governance agenda, combining environmental protection with job creation, energy security, and public health improvements.

Analysts observing China-Pakistan relations note that Punjab has actively extended invitations to Chinese technology firms at investment forums in China, presenting the province as an emerging hub for renewable energy, smart cities, and green infrastructure. Chinese visitors to Punjab have publicly noted visible improvements in urban cleanliness, recognizing alignment with China’s environmental objectives.

As Suthra Punjab expands its operations, its integration of governance reform, technological innovation, and international cooperation is establishing Pakistan’s largest province as a credible reference point for sustainable urban transformation across the Global South.