分类： world

The olive harvest in the occupied West Bank, a centuries-old tradition and economic cornerstone for Palestinians, has been marred by escalating violence from Israeli settlers and military forces. According to the UN Rights Office, 757 assaults by settlers were recorded in the first half of 2025, resulting in injuries, property damage, and the destruction of olive groves. These attacks have drawn global condemnation and criticism from UN human rights officials. In Gaza, once a thriving hub for olive cultivation, nearly all agricultural land has been devastated by Israel’s two-year military campaign, which has claimed over 68,000 Palestinian lives. The olive tree, deeply rooted in Palestinian culture and history, symbolizes resilience and peace. However, its survival is under threat as settler violence intensifies, often with the complicity of Israeli security forces. The destruction of olive groves, uprooting of trees, and restrictions on access to farmland have severely impacted the livelihoods of 100,000 families in the West Bank, many of whom rely on olive cultivation for income. In Gaza, the olive industry has been decimated, with 98.5% of agricultural land damaged or inaccessible, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The ongoing assault on Palestinian agriculture is part of a broader strategy to displace communities and annex land, exacerbating humanitarian crises and threatening the cultural and economic fabric of Palestinian society.

In a significant diplomatic meeting held in Riyadh on Monday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud unveiled a comprehensive economic cooperation framework aimed at bolstering bilateral relations. The framework, rooted in shared economic interests, seeks to enhance trade, investment, and development ties between the two nations. Key sectors identified for collaboration include energy, industry, mining, information technology, tourism, agriculture, and food security. A joint statement highlighted the mutual commitment to fostering private sector involvement and increasing trade exchange in these priority areas. Among the initiatives under discussion is an electrical interconnection project, which is expected to be formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Additionally, the two countries are exploring further cooperation in the energy sector. This framework builds on longstanding fraternal relations and aligns with the leaders’ shared vision of establishing a sustainable partnership. The meeting also set the stage for an upcoming session of the Saudi-Pakistani Supreme Coordination Council, underscoring the depth of their strategic alliance.

In a groundbreaking move to tackle the escalating air pollution crisis, authorities in Delhi initiated cloud seeding operations on Tuesday. This innovative technique aims to induce artificial rainfall, which could potentially reduce pollution levels by up to 50%. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced the initiative, emphasizing its urgency as the city grapples with hazardous air quality. Cloud seeding involves dispersing chemical particles into clouds to stimulate the formation of raindrops, a method previously used in other countries to address drought and improve air quality. However, this marks its first application in Delhi. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kanpur is leading the project, with scientists predicting rainfall within 15 minutes to four hours post-seeding. If successful, the initiative could pave the way for a long-term strategy extending through February. Despite its potential, the effectiveness of cloud seeding remains debated, with studies yielding mixed results. Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 304 on Tuesday, classified as ‘very poor’ by the Central Pollution Control Board. The city’s pollution woes are exacerbated during winter by factors such as construction dust, vehicle emissions, and crop residue burning. Scientist Manindra Agrawal of IIT-Kanpur cautioned that while artificial rain can temporarily alleviate pollution, repeated efforts are necessary to sustain improvements.

Recent revelations have exposed the use of British-manufactured military equipment by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), raising serious questions about the UK’s arms export policies. Documents reviewed by the UN Security Council, as reported by The Guardian, confirm that small-arms target systems and armoured personnel carrier engines, recovered from Sudanese combat zones, were produced in the UK. This discovery has intensified scrutiny of British arms exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a key supporter of the RSF. The UAE has been accused of supplying weapons, funds, and political backing to the RSF, which has been implicated in war crimes and genocide allegations. Two dossiers, dated June 2024 and March 2025 and compiled by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), provide evidence of UAE support for the RSF. These documents include images of British-made equipment, such as small-arms target devices and engines, recovered from RSF sites in Khartoum and Omdurman. A UK Foreign Office spokesperson defended the country’s export control regime, stating it is one of the most robust globally, with strict assessments to prevent diversion to undesirable end users. However, critics argue that the UK government has failed to prevent the UAE from diverting arms to embargoed countries and groups violating international humanitarian law. The situation worsened as the RSF stormed the North Darfur city of el-Fasher, capturing an army base and causing widespread fear of atrocities. This attack followed the collapse of US-sponsored ceasefire talks in Washington, where the UAE reportedly refused to address the crisis in el-Fasher. The RSF’s actions have further destabilized the region, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention to address the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

In a landmark visit to Tokyo, US President Donald Trump and Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi exchanged mutual admiration and solidified bilateral agreements, marking a significant moment in Japan-US relations. Takaichi, Japan’s first female premier, hailed Trump’s efforts in global diplomacy, including his role in brokering a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia and the historic Gaza deal. She even announced her intention to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, a gesture reciprocated by Trump’s praise for her leadership potential.

During their meeting at the Akasaka Palace state guest house, Trump emphasized the strength of the US-Japan alliance, calling it the ‘strongest level’ of partnership. The two leaders also signed a critical minerals agreement aimed at securing supply chains for rare earths, a strategic move in response to China’s recent restrictions on the industry. Trump further pledged to revive the US shipbuilding sector through a memorandum of understanding signed with Japan, countering China’s dominance in the global shipbuilding market.

On the security front, Takaichi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to bolstering its defense capabilities, aiming to spend 2% of its GDP on defense—a target achieved two years ahead of schedule. Trump announced the delivery of advanced missiles for Japan’s F-35 fighter jets, underscoring the deepening military cooperation between the two nations. The visit also included a poignant meeting with families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea, where Trump assured them of US support.

Trump’s Asia tour, which includes a highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, is seen as a pivotal moment in global trade and security dynamics. The potential for a US-China trade deal remains a key focus, with global markets eagerly awaiting the outcome of their discussions in South Korea.

In a significant development amidst the fragile Gaza ceasefire, Hamas has handed over the remains of a deceased hostage, marking the sixteenth of 28 bodies promised under the truce agreement. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed the receipt of the coffin, which was transported from Gaza to Israel for identification and eventual return to the hostage’s family. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has urged Hamas to expedite the transfer of the remaining 13 deceased captives, emphasizing that the group knows their locations despite claims to the contrary. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem countered that the destruction caused by Israel’s bombardment has complicated the recovery process, but reiterated the group’s commitment to fulfilling the ceasefire terms. The October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas resulted in 251 hostages, with most already released or recovered. The conflict has claimed over 68,000 lives in Gaza, according to Hamas-run health ministry figures. Meanwhile, Israel has lifted the state of emergency near the Gaza border for the first time since the attack, signaling a tentative step toward normalization. Egypt has deployed recovery crews to assist in the search for remaining bodies, with Israeli approval. The U.S. is working to establish an international security force to oversee the truce, though Israel has opposed Turkey’s participation, citing its hostile stance. Humanitarian agencies continue to push for greater access to Gaza for aid delivery, as Israel maintains control over half the territory.

Indian farmers, who had initially welcomed an abundant monsoon season, are now grappling with the devastating aftermath of late downpours that have ruined their crops. The unexpected heavy rains, which arrived just before harvest, have severely damaged key crops such as cotton and soybean, leaving millions of farmers in distress. This agricultural setback is expected to halve the sector’s growth in the December quarter, with projections dropping to 3% to 3.5% from 6.6% the previous year, according to Garima Kapoor, an economist at Elara Securities in Mumbai. The crop losses are not only threatening farmers’ livelihoods but also exacerbating rural debt and dampening consumption, which had been poised to rise following the Indian government’s recent tax cuts on consumer goods. Farmers like Kishore Hangargekar from Maharashtra, who had anticipated a bountiful soybean harvest, are now facing significant financial strain. ‘We hoped for 10 to 12 quintals per acre, but now we’ll be lucky to get 2 to 3 quintals,’ he lamented. The situation is further complicated by the fact that damaged crops are being sold at prices far below the government’s minimum support price, leaving farmers with little recourse. Sachin Nanaware, another farmer, sold his soybean at 3,200 rupees per 100 kg, well below the government-fixed rate of 5,328 rupees. The financial strain has forced many farmers to mortgage their gold jewelry to afford seeds and fertilizers for the upcoming winter sowing season. While the excessive rain has improved soil moisture for winter crops like wheat and rapeseed, the lack of funds remains a critical issue. Industry analyst Thomas Mielke of Oil World predicts that the damage to soybean and cotton crops will drive India’s vegetable oil imports to a record 18 million tons in the upcoming marketing year. As farmers scramble to salvage what they can, the broader implications for India’s agricultural sector and rural economy remain deeply concerning.